Department of Health and Social Care

Melatonin: Licensing

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there are license applications for melatonin gummy products being processed as of 23 November 2023.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Lung Diseases: Screening

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the announcement on 26 June 2023, of a national lung screening programme, what proportion of the eligible population for targeted lung screening is already covered by the NHS targeted lung health check programme; by what date she plans to reach all the eligible population in Yorkshire; how the order of the programme rollout across England will be decided; and whether smoking cessation will be offered as an opt-out, integrated service in all lung screening appointments.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dementia: Continuing Care

Tahir Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make it her policy to launch a review of the NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment process for people with dementia.

Helen Whately: We currently have no plans to launch a review of the NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment process. Eligibility for CHC is not determined by age, diagnosis or condition, or financial means; it is assessed on a case-by-case basis considering the totality of an individual’s needs. This ensures a person-centred approach to CHC, whereby the individual is placed at the centre of the assessment and care-planning process. We continue to work with our partners, including NHS England who are responsible for oversight of CHC delivery, external organisations and people with lived experience, to seek feedback on CHC policy and implementation.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Andrew Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 5 July 2018 to Question 158337, on Social Services: Minimum Wage, if she will publish the market analysis referred tointhatAnswer.

Helen Whately: We have no current plans to publish this analysis.

Mental Health Services: Ambulance Services

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health ambulances are in service in (a) St Helens North constituency and (b) the North West.

Helen Whately: NHS England advises that the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) currently has two mental health vehicles in operation, with one of these in the Cheshire and Merseyside area.As part of our £150 million capital investment in mental health pathways, NWAS expects seven Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs) to be in operation in two phases. Five MHRVs are expected to be delivered early in 2024, and a further two MHRVs are expected in April 2024. Three of the MHRVs are expected to be deployed in Cheshire and Merseyside.

NHS: Software

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to promote the new Pace Checker feature in the NHS Active 10 app.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Ashley Dalton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the number of elective surgeries cancelled in the last 12 months.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Autism: Diagnosis

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she has taken to assess the quality of autism assessments undertaken in the private sector.

Maria Caulfield: We have not made an assessment of the quality of autism assessments that have not been commissioned by the National Health Service.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population. We are clear that commissioners should take National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines fully into account ensuring that NHS services commissioned from the private sector represent an effective use of NHS resources. More information on the NICE guidelines is available at the following links:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is considering the remit of its regulatory duties, and registration, of online autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnostic assessment services as part of CQC’s new regulatory approach to assessment and inspection of CQC-registered health services.

Health Services: Weather

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of NHS preparedness in County Durham for winter 2023-24; and how much additional funding her Department plans to provide to NHS services in County Durham for winter 2023-24.

Helen Whately: No specific assessment has been made centrally by the Department, as local winter resilience plans and resourcing are an operational matter for the National Health Service.NHS winter planning started earlier this year than in previous years. The urgent and emergency care recovery plan was published in January which included £1 billion of dedicated funding to support capacity. In July 2023, NHS England wrote to integrated care boards, trusts and primary care networks to set out a national approach to 2023/24 winter planning and the key steps to be taken across all parts of the system to meet the challenges expected from winter pressures.

Health Services: Weather

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled '£200 million to boost NHS resilience and care this winter', published 14 September 2023, if he will provide additional resources to local authorities to support hospital discharge and reablement services.

Helen Whately: This Government is investing an additional £600 million this year, and £1 billion next year through the Discharge Fund. This funding will enable the National Health Service and local authorities to reduce discharge delays, including by commissioning additional packages of care and support for rehabilitation and reablement.In September, alongside the £200 million to boost resilience in the NHS, we announced a £40 million fund, targeted at local authorities in the most challenged NHS systems. This fund will strengthen urgent and emergency care resilience and performance this winter by preventing avoidable admissions or by reducing discharge delays.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Ed Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has held recent discussions with (a) ADHD UK, (b) the ADHD Foundation and (c) other organisations representing people with ADHD.

Maria Caulfield: Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are routinely published on GOV.UK on a quarterly basis.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that controls on tobacco  do not encourage illicit trade in tobacco products.

Andrea Leadsom: As set out in the command paper, Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation, the Government is increasing investment for our enforcement agencies by £30 million per year from 2024/25 to 2028/29. This additional funding will boost agencies such as local trading standards, HM Revenue & Customs and Border Force to enforce the new age of sale changes and to stamp out opportunities for criminals. The command paper is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/stopping-the-start-our-new-plan-to-create-a-smokefree-generation HM Revenue & Customs and Border Force will also publish an updated Illicit Tobacco Strategy which will set out the Government’s plans to be at the forefront of tackling illegal activity and opportunities that criminals might seek to exploit.

Pharmacy

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she has taken to evaluate the impact of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme on pharmacies.

Andrea Leadsom: NHS England is currently undertaking a review of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme and will publish this in the coming months.From General Pharmaceutical Council registration data, we know that across all sectors, the number of registered pharmacists in England has increased by 57% since 2010 from 33,668 to 52,803 as of June 2023.The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2022 shows we have 27,711 pharmacists, which is 1% higher compared to 2021, and 6,544 pharmacy technicians working in community pharmacy, which is 16% lower compared to 2021.In general practice, as of September 2023, there were 810 full-time equivalent (FTE) advanced pharmacist practitioners, 7,585 FTE pharmacists and 2,431 FTE pharmacy technicians.

Dental Services

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2023 to Question 1862 on Dental Services: Easington, what data her Department holds on levels of access to NHS dental care.

Andrea Leadsom: In addition to the GP Patient Survey, which includes questions on whether patients have tried to obtain an appointment with a National Health Service dentist and, if so, whether they had been successful, NHS Dental Statistics for England, published by NHS Digital, brings together information on NHS dental activity in England, including information about patients seen.The latest Annual Report published on 24 August 2023 shows that 18.1 million adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 months up to 30 June 2023, an increase of 1.7 million or 10% when compared to the previous year; and 6.4 million children were seen by an NHS dentist in the 12 months up to 30 June 2023, an increase of 800,000 or 14% when compared to the previous year. Dental activity, as measured by courses of treatment delivered, also increased by 23.2% compared to the previous year.The latest GP Patient survey data is available from the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/category/statistics/gp-dental-statistics/The latest NHS Dental Statistics for England is available from the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statistics

Dental Services: Cornwall

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental provision in Cornwall.

Andrea Leadsom: We acknowledge that there are additional pressures facing National Health Service dental services in certain parts of the country, including in the South-West of England. From 1 April 2023, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to involve patient groups, and for undertaking oral health needs assessments, to identify areas of need and determine the priorities for investment. NHS England has been working with ICB partners on the South-West Dental Reform Programme and have commissioned additional urgent dental care appointments that people can access via NHS 111. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. These include a 40% increase to dentistry undergraduate training places by 2031/32. In July 2022, we announced a package of reforms to improve access to NHS dentistry, which outlined the steps we are taking to meet oral health needs and increase access to dental care. But we know we need to do more, including in some areas where access is particularly problematic. We are working on our Dentistry Recovery Plan which will be published shortly.

Ophthalmic Services

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps to ensure NHS England's commitment to the Eye Care Support Pathway as one of the key future priorities for eye care transformation.

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will ask (a) NHS England and (b) Integrated Care Boards to issue guidance on embedding non-clinical support into existing eye care pathways.

Andrea Leadsom: NHS England has contributed to the development of the Royal National Institute of Blind People Eye Care Support Pathway, which they have already committed to embedding in the eye care transformation programme. NHS England is also supporting the dissemination of the pathway to eyecare commissioners and providers.

Pharmacy

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the hub and spoke model for dispensing pharmaceutical products.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government’s initial assessment of the effectiveness of hub and spoke dispensing arrangements was set out within the Consultation Impact Assessment on hub and spoke dispensing, published alongside our consultation proposals on 16 March 2022. It is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6218f4ddd3bf7f4f0feef03b/hub-and-spoke-dispensing-impact-assessment.pdf As part of the consultation process, we received useful additional evidence from stakeholders, and are using this to finalise our impact assessment.

Ophthalmic Services

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with integrated care boards on increasing the number of Eye Care Liaison Officers.

Andrea Leadsom: No discussions have taken place. As with most services within the National Health Service, decisions on how services are configured must be made locally to meet the needs of the local population. The Government recognises the impact that sight loss can have on a person’s life and the important role that Eye Clinic Liaison Officers can play in supporting patients at the point of diagnosis and beyond.

Dentistry: Training

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help increase dentistry training places.

Andrea Leadsom: As set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, we are going to increase dentistry training places by 40% so that there are over 1,100 places by 2031/32. To support this ambition, we will expand places 24% by 2028/29, taking the overall number that year to 1,000 places.Furthermore, we are currently working on a plan for dentistry to improve access to dental care across England. Our plan will build upon the first package of reforms agreed in July 2022 and will address making National Health Service work more attractive to ensure dentists are incentivised to deliver more NHS care.

Dental Services: Closures

Dehenna Davison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that patients affected by closures of NHS dental practices have adequate access to dental care.

Andrea Leadsom: NHS England and integrated care boards across England work together to ensure that patients who are affected by closure of National Health Service dental practices will continue to have access to the dental care they need. This includes an assessment to identify potential gaps in NHS dental service provision and to consider what actions may be required.NHS dentists are required to keep their NHS.UK profiles up to date so that patients can find a dentist more easily. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients.In circumstances where patients are unable to access an urgent dental appointment directly through an NHS dental practice, they should contact NHS 111.

Ophthalmic Services: Home Visits

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make it her policy to encourage optometrists to make home visits upon request.

Andrea Leadsom: National Health Service-funded domiciliary sight tests are widely available for individuals entitled to free NHS sight tests who are unable to leave home unaccompanied due to physical or mental illness or disability. They can be provided in a patient’s own home, residential care home or at a day centre following a request from the patient, relative or primary carer. Individuals not entitled to NHS-funded sight tests can access domiciliary sight testing services privately.

Electronic Cigarettes: Health Education

Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to take steps raise awareness of (a) the levels of nicotine in and (b) the risk of addiction from vape devices.

Andrea Leadsom: Vaping is substantially less harmful than cigarettes and one of the most effective cessation aids, however due to the addictive nicotine content and the unknown long-term harms it is not recommended for children and non-smokers.As part of the requirements under Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016, every nicotine vape packet must contain a health warning, “warning: this product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance”. Requirements also limit nicotine strength to 20mg/ml and limit refill bottle and tank sizes.The NHS Better Health website provides information and advice on using vapes to quit smoking and includes advice on how to quit vaping.The Government launched a consultation in October 2023 seeking views on our plans to crack down on youth vaping by reducing the appeal, availability and affordability of vapes to our children. This is live until 6 December 2023 and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping

Clinical Trials: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government's response to the independent report by Lord O’Shaughnessy entitled Commercial clinical trials in the UK, published on 26 May 2023, what progress his Department has made towards rolling out Clinical Trials Acceleration Networks; and what budget he plans to allocate to support those networks.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government published the full response to the Lord O’Shaughnessy review on 22 November 2023.The response sets out that Clinical Trial Acceleration Networks will be renamed Clinical Trial Delivery Accelerators, with two initial Accelerators designated in dementia and vaccines. Accelerators will work with trial sponsors and delivery teams to deliver studies in innovative ways that maximises efficiency and prioritises diversity in regions, setting and trials, and to place people, regardless of their background or community in the right trials, in the right place at the right time.There is up to £20 million of funding to establish the dementia Accelerator and to support the pre-existing Vaccines Innovation Pathway to deliver functionality expected from an Accelerator. This funding was announced in May 2023 as part of the initial response to the O’Shaughnessy review.

Diabetes and Obesity: Drugs

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department is taking steps to prevent second generation GLP-1 weight management medications being available for purchase online without prescription.

Andrew Stephenson: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enforces the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Buying any medicinal product, including second generation glucagon-like peptide 1 weight management medications, from illegally trading online suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the United Kingdom. The MHRA continues to work with social media and online sales platforms to build strong partnerships to identify and quickly remove illegal medicines from sale and to identify those unlawfully trading in medicines. We work with partners to remove web content where we can, and to block harmful URLs and domain names.The MHRA works to prevent false customer feedback from promoting illegal online suppliers and has arrangements in place with major search engine providers to delist offending domain names. The MHRA also works with payment providers to disrupt the processing of payments via illegal sites. The MHRA will take appropriate enforcement action, including, where necessary, prosecuting those who put public health at risk.

Rare Diseases: Drugs

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 20 October 2023 to Question 202779 on Rare Diseases: Drugs, how many single technology appraisals of medicines conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for non-orphan medicines resulted in (a) a positive recommendation, (b) an optimised recommendation, (c) a recommendation for managed access, (d) a negative recommendation and (e) termination in each financial year since 2018-19.

Andrew Stephenson: The information requested is provided in the attached table.Rare Diseases (docx, 19.6KB)

Community Diagnostic Centres

Maggie Throup: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the activity conducted in community diagnostic centres, how her Department and NHS England define (a) tests, (b) checks and (c) scans; which specific tests, checks and scans are conducted across the community diagnostic centres programme; and whether she has plans to make provision for further tests, checks and scans to be conducted in community diagnostic centres.

Andrew Stephenson: In line with the recommendations of the Richards’ Review (2021), community diagnostic centres (CDCs) must offer a minimum set of diagnostic services across the following core modalities:- imaging, for example, computerised tomography, magnetic resonance imaging;- physiological measurement, for example, echocardiography, spirometry; and- pathology, for example, phlebotomy, urine testing.Large CDCs must also offer endoscopy services, for example, gastroscopy and colonoscopy, as part of their core offer.There are no current plans to expand the core list of services required by CDCs. CDCs are however encouraged to offer other tests beyond the minimum requirement where this may be appropriate and deemed to be a priority locally. NHS England does not currently publish a breakdown of all CDC activity.There are 135 CDCs currently operational, and the CDC programme has delivered over five million tests since reporting in July 2021, which is currently ahead of planned programme activity. The Government has also confirmed it is now on track to meet its target to open up to 160 CDCs by March 2025, and expects to achieve this a year early in March 2024.

Stem Cells: Donors

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing self-sufficiency in UK stem cell donations.

Andrew Stephenson: The UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum, a Departmental advisory body, has recommended in its report A 10 Year Vision for Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies that donor to patient unrelated donations in the United Kingdom should be increased to 45%. This will improve the sustainability and resilience of UK stem cell supply, maintain the UK’s expertise in stem cell provision and support adoption of advanced cellular therapies. The Department is investing £2.4 million between April 2022 and March 2025 to recruit stem cell donors to improve resilience and help address health inequalities.

UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will review the (a) terms of reference and (b) governance of the UK Stem Cell strategic forum.

Andrew Stephenson: The terms of reference and governance of the UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum are reviewed periodically and on an ad hoc basis as required. The Forum published its latest report A 10 Year Vision for Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies in July 2022 to address weaknesses in stem cell transplantation services. The Forum is working with the Department, NHS England, NHS Blood and Transplant, clinicians, industry, and representatives of patient groups to take the recommendations forward. An oversight committee and five working groups have been established in line with the current terms of reference.

Cystic Fibrosis: Medical Treatments

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Prime Minister's Answer of 15 November 2023 to Question 900077, Official Report, column 645, how her Department plans to facilitate discussions between key stakeholders in the NICE process of appraisal of treatments for people with cystic fibrosis.

Andrew Stephenson: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for leading engagement with interested parties in the development of its recommendations on medicines. NICE has recently published draft guidance for consultation on the use of Orkambi, Symkevi and Kaftrio for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and stakeholders now have an opportunity to comment on NICE’s recommendations. NICE continues to work with stakeholders to address the issues highlighted by the committee in the draft guidance. The Department has no plans to facilitate discussions and encourages the company to continue to engage in the NICE appraisal process.

Clinical Trials

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to encourage NHS Trusts to offer clinical staff the opportunity to work on research trials.

Andrew Stephenson: The Vision for the Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery (2021) sets out our commitment to create a research positive culture across the National Health Service and to a develop a sustainable and supported research workforce, offering rewarding opportunities and exciting careers for all healthcare and research staff of all professional backgrounds. Funding provided through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) infrastructure sustains a critical mass of people who are actively involved in conducting and delivering research in the NHS and other health and care settings. This enables clinicians and other health professionals working in the NHS to undertake research, by funding posts or reimbursing NHS trusts for the time their staff are engaged in research. In addition, via the NIHR Clinical Research Network, the NIHR funds front-line research delivery staff who work throughout the NHS and other health and care research settings. In August 2023, NIHR also announced £30 million additional funding to support health and care professionals (HCPs) to include research in their careers and help them develop as highly skilled researchers and research leaders. The additional funding will strengthen and expand existing opportunities and introduce new initiatives. This will include new NIHR Regional Research Leadership offices to promote and coordinate research opportunities for HCPs at a regional level.

Rare Diseases: Medical Treatments

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to section 6 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) health technology evaluations: the manual, published on 31 January 2022, whether she has had discussions with NICE on the potential impact of the severity modifier on technology appraisals for (a) cystic fibrosis and (b) other rare diseases.

Andrew Stephenson: Departmental officials regularly discuss a range of issues with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including in relation to the application of the severity modifier that was introduced in 2022. NICE is responsible for determining whether a severity weighting should apply to the evaluation of individual medicines in line with its published methods and processes. NICE has recently published draft guidance for consultation on the use of Orkambi, Symkevi and Kaftrio for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and stakeholders now have an opportunity to comment on NICE’s recommendations. NICE continues to work with stakeholders to address the issues highlighted by the committee in the draft guidance.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust: Barts Health NHS Trust

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of the proposed merger between Barts Health and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trusts.

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has for the governance of the merger between Barts Health and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trusts.

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when planning began for increased collaboration between Barts Health and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trusts.

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department takes to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate mergers between health trusts.

Andrew Stephenson: National Health Service trusts or foundation trusts undertaking a merger go through appropriate due process, which includes assurance from NHS England that the transaction provides material improvements in performance and real patient benefits before Secretary of State approval.We are not aware of any proposed merger between Barts Health and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. In 2021, the two trusts began to engage local stakeholders about developing deeper collaboration. They are now working closely together as part of an acute provider collaborative within the integrated care system of NHS NorthEast London. The trusts remain separate statutory bodies accountable to NHS England and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to monitor the effectiveness of hybrid closed loop technology implementation on (i) glycaemic control, (ii) quality of life and (iii) reduction in complications for patients.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to (a) involve patients with and (b) raise awareness of the (i) potential merits and (ii) availability of hybrid closed loop technology.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help ensure access to hybrid closed loop technology.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support equal access to (a) hybrid closed loop and (b) other new medical technologies.

Andrew Stephenson: The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published their draft guidance on hybrid closed loop (HCL) technology for managing blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes.HCL technology represents a step change in care for patients living with type one diabetes, which is why NICE has agreed a five-year roll out of this technology with NHS England. This is to ensure the National Health Service has the staff training and patient support in place to safely roll out this new technology.Access to medical devices should be determined by clinical need. It is our priority to ensure that all patients have access to the most innovative treatment options, wherever they live in the country.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of their population, managing the NHS budget, and arranging for the provision of health services in the integrated care systems.For HCL, NHS England will make clinicians aware of priority patients to help ensure equality of access and will keep this under review as it rolled out expands to other groups over the implementation period. NHS England will engage with patient representative groups, ICB leads, trust clinical leads working within children, young people and adult services, and professional bodies as part of the implementation strategy’s development.

Health Services: Internet

Keir Mather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help people with limited internet capability access online health services.

Andrew Stephenson: In September 2023, NHS England published a framework for action on digital inclusion to help the system design and implement inclusive digital approaches and technologies. Additional help is provided by community organisations and local partners by providing free devices and mobile data to digitally excluded people; for example, the National Device Bank and a National Data Bank run by the Good Things Foundation.Patients unable to use digital channels will continue to be able to access services via telephone and through traditional face to face services.

Carbon Monoxide: Alarms

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the use of carbon monoxide alarms in all health settings.

Andrew Stephenson: There are no plans to make an assessment. Guidance on ventilation and air filtration systems in National Health Service facilities is provided in Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises. As with all guidance provided on the NHS estate, it is reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be updated to reflect changes in approach to relevant areas. The memorandum is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/HTM0301-PartA-accessible-F6.pdfThere is a range of national resources available to promote carbon monoxide safety. This includes guidance on GOV.UK, the NHS website and from the Health and Safety Executive. The UK Health Safety Agency also has a programme of work, much of it delivered in partnership with other organisations, to increase awareness of carbon monoxide exposure risks and help to prevent them.

Heart Diseases: Artificial Intelligence

Damien Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to take steps to implement AI technology that predicts heart attacks years in advance.

Andrew Stephenson: Many of the artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are looking at heart attack prediction are still in research and development. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) carried out an Early Value Assessment (EVA) on Cari-Heart in March 2023. Cari-Heart is a medical device that uses AI to analyse heart computerised tomography (CT) scans, to give clinicians a patient’s personalised risk of heart attack. NICE’s EVA does not recommend Cari-Heart for use in the National Health Service and that it should only be used for research to generate more evidence of its effectiveness at this stage.Further pilot testing of Cari-Heart in five NHS trusts has started. This will evaluate the effectiveness of the tool as it analyses chest CT scans to help clinicians assess patients’ risk of heart attack.The Department is funding the AI in Health and Care Award. This has provided £123 million to 86 AI technologies to test and evaluate some of the most promising AI technologies likely to meet the aims set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. A number of these trials include AI technologies that could assist clinicians to treat heart disease. These could generate more evidence of these technologies' effectiveness, which could lead to their rapid adoption in the NHS.Another trial, which has received a £1.2 million award from the National Institute for Health Research, will test an AI-enabled smart stethoscope in 200 general practices (GPs) across London and Wales. The TRICORDER programme will assess if by providing the tool to GPs this can increase early detection of heart failure and reduce diagnosis through emergency hospital admission.

Intensive Care: Artificial Intelligence

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using AI to generate treatment formulation in acute care settings.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department is funding the AI in Health and Care Award. This has provided £123 million to 86 artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to test and evaluate some of the most promising AI technologies likely to meet the aims set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. Some of these trials are testing the effectiveness of AI technologies that could assist clinicians with treatment formulation. The evidence generated could lead to the rapid adoption of these technologies.AI technologies that assist clinicians in developing treatment plans for stroke patients are already proving to be effective. They have been shown to half the time it takes for stroke patients to receive treatment and triple the number of stroke patients living independently following a stroke. These tools are currently deployed in 92% of stroke units in England.

Coronavirus: Drugs

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what stocks of (a) midazolam, (b) morphine and (c) fentanyl are held in (i) the essential medicines buffer stock and (ii) the UK stockpile of medicines for covid-19 preparedness.

Andrew Stephenson: The essential medicines buffer stock program is no longer active and there are no stocks held under this. Some medicines that were previously held for COVID-19 preparedness, including midazolam 50 milligram/10 millilitre ampoules, are in the process of being transitioned into centralised stockholdings of countermeasures for broader emerging infectious disease and pandemic preparedness. Stocks of morphine 10 milligram/millilitre and 10 milligram/2 millilitre and fentanyl 500 microgram/10 millilitre remain, but will not be retained centrally. The countermeasures programme is informed by scientific and clinical assessment of the evidence base and is kept under review, building on lessons learned from COVID-19 and other outbreaks.

Health Services: Kent

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding her Department has allocated to (a) primary care in Folkestone and Hythe constituency, (b) East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and (c) capital investment in the (i) William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, (ii) Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone and (iii) Buckland Hospital in Dover in each year since 2010.

Andrew Stephenson: We do not hold the requested information centrally.The ‘Financial assistance under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006’ reports set out all funding that was provided to NHS trusts for each financial year and are published with the Department of Health and Social Care Annual Report and Accounts. However, this does not itemise the funding at the individual hospital and site level. The reports are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-financing-available-to-nhs-trusts-and-foundation-trusts

Cancer: Health Services

Tahir Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that NHS cancer treatment services have adequate resources to meet increasing demand.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department is taking steps to reduce cancer treatment waiting times across England, including the time between an urgent general practitioner referral and the commencement of treatment for cancer for patients. The Government is working jointly with NHS England on implementing the delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlogs in elective care and plans to spend more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to help drive up and protect elective activity, including cancer diagnosis and treatment activity. Levels of first treatments following an urgent cancer referral have been consistently above pre-pandemic levels, with activity in September 2023 standing at 108% of pre-pandemic levels on a per working day basis. The Department is also increasing the size of the cancer workforce. As of July 2023, there are currently over 1,600 full time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the speciality of clinical oncology in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. This is over 110 or 7.4% more than last year, over 320 or 24.5% more than 2019, and over 640 or 64.9% more than in 2010. This includes over 870 FTE consultants, which represents 35 or 4.2% more than last year, over 120 or 16.6% more than in 2019, and over 390 or 82.1% more than in 2010. The Major Conditions Strategy will also consider the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions including cancer.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Health Services

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which trusts have been identified by Getting It Right First Time as part of its Further Faster pilot to deliver rapid clinical transformation for patients with (a) Crohn's disease and (b) ulcerative colitis.

Andrew Stephenson: The Further, Faster pilots aim to accelerate service transformation across a range of specialities. Within gastroenterology, the pilots are driving forward interventions such as the introduction of Patient Initiated Follow Up, which can be beneficial for patients with chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.The following trusts are participating in the pilots as part of Cohort 1:- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust;- Barts Health NHS Trust;- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust;- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust;- Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust;- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust;- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust;- Medway NHS Foundation Trust;- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust;- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust;- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust;- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust;- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust;- South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust;- The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust;- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust;- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust;- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust;- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust;- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust;- Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; and- Wye Valley NHS Trust.  The following trusts are participating in the pilots as part of Cohort 2: - Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust;- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust;- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Isle of Wight NHS Trust;- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust;- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust;- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust;- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust;- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust;- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust;- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust;- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; and- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Physician Associates

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of renaming the Physician Associate job title; and what steps she is taking to provide information on the role of Physician Associates to patients.

Andrew Stephenson: The physician associate (PA) title has been well established in the United Kingdom since 2014. There are no plans to change the title. Ahead of regulation by the General Medical Council (GMC), the Faculty of PAs has issued guidance for PAs, supervisors, employers, and organisations, which helps to provide a structured and standardised way of using the title. The GMC has also published interim standards for PAs in advance of regulation which make it clear that professionals should always introduce their role to patients and set out their responsibilities in the team. In implementing the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, NHS England is working with the relevant professional colleges and regulators, to ensure the PA role is expanded safely and effectively. In addition, NHS England has produced patient-facing materials that have been shared widely with general practices to support patient awareness and understanding of the role. The introduction of regulation by the GMC will provide a standardised framework of governance and assurance for the clinical practice and professional conduct of PAs and make it easier for employers, patients, and the public to understand the relationship between this role and that of doctors.

Diabetes and Obesity: Drugs

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the powers of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to prevent the illegal online (a) marketing and (b) sale of (i) second generation GLP-1 weight management and (ii) other potentially hazardous medications.

Andrew Stephenson: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has the same powers available to other regulatory organisations and law enforcement agencies when addressing offending online. MHRA takes proportionate action, on a case-by-case basis, to enforce the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 in respect of the illegal sale and supply of second generation glucagon-like peptide 1 weight management medications and other potentially hazardous medications. In cases of serious non-compliance, the agency has the power to undertake formal criminal investigations and, where appropriate and evidentially supported, prosecution through the Crown Prosecution Service.As this is primarily an online threat, MHRA works closely with social media providers, search engines and the broader internet industry to prevent and disrupt illegal sales and to identify and bring those responsible into compliance with the regulations.Through its #Fakemeds campaign, MHRA uses social media and other channels to share safety advice and guidance with the public. The aim is to help patients protect their health by offering quick and easy tools and resources to help them avoid fake medical products when shopping online. With practical tips on how to recognise illegally trading websites and case studies of commonly falsified medicines, it also aims to educate the public on the dangers of buying unlicensed or fake medicines and empower them to make the right choices for their health.

Diabetes and Obesity: Drugs

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prosecutions have been brought against sellers of (a) second generation GLP-1 weight management medications and (b) other potentially hazardous medications on the internet over the last 12 months.

Andrew Stephenson: To date, no prosecutions have been brought against those involved in the illegal sale of glucagon-like peptide 1 medicines although the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Humberside Police were involved in executive action as recently as 23 November 2023 following an MHRA investigation into the alleged illegal supply of these products. During the last 12 months, MHRA has completed nine investigations involving the online sale of hazardous medicines. These investigations are at different stages within the criminal justice system.

Prescriptions: Expenditure

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the annual cost to the public purse is of NHS repeat prescriptions.

Andrew Stephenson: Information is not held in the format requested. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds information on the net ingredient cost (NIC) for both repeat dispensing, where a patient is able to obtain repeat supplies of National Health Service prescriptions without the need for their general practitioner (GP) to issue a prescription each time a supply is required, and repeat prescribing, where the patient still needs to obtain an NHS prescription from their GP each time they require their prescribed medication or appliances. The NIC is the basic reimbursement cost of a medicine. It does not consider discounts, amount for containers or other added reimbursement expenses so the final amount the NHS pays will be different.The following table shows the total number of items and NIC for both repeat dispensing and repeat prescribing for prescriptions that have been dispensed in the community in England for financial year 2022/23: Total Number of ItemsTotal Net Ingredient Cost (£)NHS Repeat Dispensing156,550,745490,019,357NHS Repeat Prescribing734,963,2507,100,020,164Source: NHSBSAAs identified in Good for you, good for us, good for everybody: a plan to reduce overprescribing to make patient care better and safer, support the NHS, and reduce carbon emissions in 2021, addressing overprescribing is a key area of opportunity for delivering greater value for money in medicines in the NHS, and it forms part of NHS England’s ongoing Medicines Value programme priorities.  Notes:Data on repeat prescribing is only available for prescriptions transmitted via the Electronic Prescription Service and requires the prescriber to select the correct treatment code indicating it is repeat prescribing. The data provided by NHSBSA is based on NHS repeat prescriptions that have been dispensed in the community in England.The figures for repeat dispensing cover paper prescriptions and electronic prescribing (EPS) messages.Net Ingredient cost is the basic price of a medicine as stated in Part II Clause 8 of the Drug Tariff but please note that where a price concession for items listed in Part VIII of the Drug Tariff has been agreed between the Department of Health and Social Care and Community Pharmacy England the NIC will reflect the concession price rather than the Drug Tariff price.If a prescription was issued, but not presented for dispensing or was not submitted to NHSBSA by the dispenser, then it is not included in the figures provided. Prescription items ‘not dispensed,’ ‘disallowed’ and ‘items referred back to the contractor for further clarification’ are also excluded from the figures.

Autism: Diagnosis

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on (a) changes in the levels of autism assessments in children and (b) the potential impact of those changes on services supporting education, health and care plans.

Maria Caulfield: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions on a wide range of matters with Cabinet colleagues. We recognise that in recent years demand for autism assessments for children and young people has increased. The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND), including autistic children, receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. We are doing this through working together to implement the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, which was published 2 March 2023.

Autism: Diagnosis

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the average length time (a) children and (b) adults wait for an autism assessment (i) nationally and (ii) in York.

Maria Caulfield: The data requested is not held centrally. However, some relevant information can be drawn from the Mental Health Services Data Set.Whilst data is not available at a constituency level, it is available at the integrated care system (ICS) level. According to the latest Autism Waiting Time Statistics in June 2023, nationally 6% of adults, whose referrals have been open for at least 13 weeks, received their first contact appointment within 13 weeks. In Humber and North Yorkshire, this was higher at 11%.Nationally, in June 2023, for children aged between 0 to 17 years old, 7% had their first appointment within 13 weeks compared to 3% in Humber and North Yorkshire. Data on children and young people in this dataset is expected to be an underestimate. Caution should be used when interpreting these statistics since they are experimental rather than official statistics.

Health Services: Veterans

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many full time equivalent employees in her Department work on the delivery of Op Restore.

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many full time equivalent employees in her Department work on the delivery of Op Nova.

Maria Caulfield: Op Restore is a bespoke National Health Service-commissioned physical health and wellbeing service, which supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the British Armed Forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the Armed Forces.Op Nova provides support for those who have served in the British Armed Forces and who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.The Department retains oversight of these services, with 1.4 full time equivalent employees supporting policy delivery on armed forces and veterans’ health.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Drugs

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 22 November 2023 to Question 1712 on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Drugs, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of her Department’s processes to (a) manage and (b) mitigate problems in the supply of medicines used for the management of ADHD.

Andrew Stephenson: Medicine supply problems can occur for several reasons; for example, they can be due to manufacturing difficulties, regulatory problems, problems with the supply of raw materials, sudden demand spikes or from issues which are related to the distribution of the product. We have well-established processes for managing and mitigating medicine supply issues, which involve working with the pharmaceutical industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, NHS England, the devolved governments and others operating in the supply chain to help ensure patients have access to the treatments they need.Disruptions to the supply of medicines used for the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been primarily driven by issues which have resulted in capacity constraints at key manufacturing sites. The Department has been working closely with the respective manufacturers and some issues have now been resolved. However, we know that there continue to be disruptions to the supply of some other medicines, which are expected to resolve by the end of 2023 or in early 2024.

Special Educational Needs: Neurodiversity

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on ensuring school environments are suitable to support (a) children with autism and (b) other neurodivergent children.

Maria Caulfield: The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions on a wide range of matters with Cabinet colleagues including the Secretary of State for Education.The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND), including autistic children, receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. We are doing this through working together to implement the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, which was published on 2 March 2023.In 2023/24, £4.2 million is available to improve services for autistic children and young people, as well as pre and post diagnostic support, including the continuation of the Autism in Schools programme. Autism in Schools is a national project which aims to ensure schools offer environments in which autistic students can thrive, supporting good mental health and promoting a sense of belonging.On 22 November 2023, we announced the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme. This new programme, backed by £13 million of investment, is a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education and NHS England and will bring together integrated care boards (ICBs), local authorities, and schools, working in partnership with parents and carer to support schools to better meet the needs of neurodiverse children. The programme will deploy specialists from both health and education workforces to upskill schools and build their capacity to identify and meet the needs of children with autism and other neurodiverse needs. The programme is expected to reach around 10% of mainstream primary schools. It will be evaluated, and learning will be used to inform future policy development around how schools support neurodiverse children.

Autism: Diagnosis

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of staff available to conduct autism assessments for (a) children and (b) adults (i) nationally and (ii) in York.

Maria Caulfield: The National Framework for autism assessment services, published by NHS England in April 2023, recognises the need to increase the supply of specialist workforce for autism assessment services.The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce; this is backed by over £2.4 billion over the next five years to fund additional education and training places. We aim to increase training places by 26% for both clinical psychology and child and adolescent psychotherapy by 2031, taking the combined number of training places to over 1,300. Training places will be more than 1,000 each year up to 2028/29.In addition to education and training for clinical psychologists and child and adolescent psychotherapists, over the next three years, NHS England has committed funding of over £600 million to grow the wider psychological professions workforce through training approximately 15,000 more individuals to undertake psychological therapist and psychological practitioner roles.

NHS: Productivity

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has awarded a contract for a consultant on the NHS review into productivity in the 2023-24 financial year.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department has not awarded a contract for a consultant to work on National Health Service productivity in 2023/24.However, the Government is ambitious for NHS productivity. That is why the Long Term Workforce Plan set out an ambition to achieve 1.5-2% average workforce productivity growth. We would expect the NHS to make best use of all options available, including potential use of consultancy support where there is an appropriate value for money case to do so, to understand the challenge and deliver on this ambition.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help ensure women who use wheelchairs have access to mammograms.

Andrew Stephenson: NHS England is committed to improving the accessibility of the screening programmes it commissions under the Public Health Services (S7a) agreement, particularly for under-served groups in society.Contractually, providers of screening services in the National Health Service are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that their services are accessible for people with disabilities. For example, the NHS breast screening service offers longer appointments at accessible sites to support women with physical disabilities.Services make reasonable adjustments within the constraints of equipment, to ensure that disabled people are offered the opportunity to have breast screening, however there may be situations where this is not possible. Providers will deal with these on a case by case basis and offer an alternative approach as necessary.

Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to utilise the domestic life science sector to help end global levels of tuberculosis by 2030.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department fully supports United Kingdom commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals as set out in the Global Health Framework and the International Development White Paper. Through our Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded Research and Development programmes, we are building on UK scientific expertise and investing in research through open competition, working with partners in low and middle income countries to tackle global health threats such as emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems resilience, and address the changing burden of disease.Since 2017, through the ODA-funded Global Health Research programme, delivered through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Department has invested over £25 million in collaborative research projects between UK researchers and partners in low and middle income countries, which include elements relating to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

Drugs: Licensing

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many licence applications for (a) plant-based and (b) alcohol-free medicines the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency received in each of the last five years.

Andrew Stephenson: The following table shows the number of applications for plant-based and alcohol-free medicines that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received in the last five years: YearPlant-based medicinesAlcohol-free medicines201921850202031209202111242202211065202341084 Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Notes:Plant-based medicines include herbals and homeopathics.The number of alcohol-free medicine applications is the number of licence applications minus those that list alcohol (ethanol) as an ingredient.

NHS: Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the number of NHS staff who have (a) no savings, (b) savings of less than £100 and (c) savings equivalent to less than (i) one and (ii) three month's salary.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department has no plans to make a specific estimate.

Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids: Decriminalisation

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her contribution to the debate on Drugs Policy on 23 October 2018, Official Report, column 87WH, whether she plans to continue to recuse herself from issues relating to cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.

Andrew Stephenson: In line with normal procedures, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has declared these interests both to her previous departments and the Department for Health and Social Care, and recused herself in the usual way.

Dementia: Disinformation and Health Education

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she has taken to (a) raise awareness and (b) tackle disinformation on dementia in (i) Romford and (ii) England.

Helen Whately: We want a society where there is less fear and stigma associated with dementia, and more understanding. The NHS Health Check for adults in England aged 45 to 74 years old is designed to identify early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or dementia. Since 2018, dementia risk reduction has been incorporated in the NHS Health Check to increase dementia awareness and motivate people to make positive changes to reduce their risks. In addition, those aged 65 years old and over are made aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia and guided to memory clinics.

Mental Capacity

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason her Department has indefinitely delayed the introduction of the Liberty Protection Standards.

Helen Whately: The difficult decision to delay the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards was not taken lightly. We have done so to enable the Department, and local partners, to prioritise the reforms set out in the Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care plan. These include investment in the workforce, technology, and support for unpaid carers. These priorities, alongside the funding uplift of up to £8.1 billion over this year and next to strengthen adult social care provision, will drive forward our ambition of ensuring that everyone can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Until the Liberty Protection Safeguards come into force, the existing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, which form a key part of the Mental Capacity Act, remain in place and ensure that decisions are made in a person's best interests.

Health Services: Weather

Ashley Dalton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help prepare the NHS for winter 2023-24.

Helen Whately: Winter planning for the National Health Service started earlier this year than in previous years. The urgent and emergency care recovery plan was published in January 2023 which included £1 billion of dedicated funding to support capacity. In July 2023, NHS England wrote to integrated care boards, trusts and primary care networks to set out a national approach to 2023/24 winter planning and the key steps to be taken across all parts of the system to meet the challenges expected from winter pressures.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many ambulance services were at Level 4 Resource Escalation Action Plan in England as of 20 November 2023.

Helen Whately: On 20 November 2023, there were no ambulance trusts in England at Resource Escalation Action Plan Level 4.

Dementia: Medical Treatments and Research

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she has taken to (a) fund and (b) support new dementia (i) treatment and (ii) research in (A) Romford and (B) England.

Helen Whately: We want a society where every person with dementia, their families and carers, receive high quality, compassionate care, from diagnosis through to end of life.Several potential new disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are in development. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National Institute for Health and Care Clinical Excellence (NICE), NHS England and the Department are working closely to ensure that arrangements are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE recommended treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in England as soon as possible. NICE’s appraisals of lecanemab and donanemab for treating early Alzheimer's disease is currently underway and, subject to licensing, NICE expects to publish final guidance in summer 2024 as close to licence as possible.The Government is strongly committed to supporting research into dementia. The Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).The NIHR has launched several exciting new initiatives to support new dementia research. This includes: investing nearly £11 million to develop new digital approaches for the early detection and diagnosis of dementia; investing £9 million to continue funding the Three Schools Dementia Programme, which links public health, primary care and social care via our NIHR research schools; and commissioning a Dementia and Neurodegeneration Policy Research Unit worth £6 million to further boost evidence for policymaking. This work will support research across the country.The usual practice of NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics or regions. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available and funding applications are judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

Dementia: Social Clubs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has taken steps to support social clubs for people with dementia in (a) Romford and (b) England.

Helen Whately: Whilst the Department does not promote specific clubs or societies for people living with dementia and their carers, we recognise that clubs and societies can be important in supporting people to engage with their community and reduce social isolation.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Quality Standard on Dementia, published in June 2019, includes guidelines for offering activities such as exercise, aromatherapy, art, gardening, baking, reminiscence therapy, music therapy, mindfulness, and animal assisted therapy to help promote wellbeing. Local authorities are also required to provide or arrange services that meet the social care needs of the local population, including unpaid carers, under the Care Act 2014.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Fraud

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average length of time for an investigation by Fraud Defence to be completed was in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023 to 23 November 2023.

Dr Andrew Murrison: It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the right hon. Member's Questions. I will write to her when the information is available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Ministry of Defence: Fraud

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of how much his Department lost to fraud in each year since 2010.

Dr Andrew Murrison: It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the right hon. Member's Questions. I will write to her when the information is available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that women in third countries who are (a) eligible for the (i) ACRS and (ii) ARAP schemes and (b) in the third trimester of pregnancy are flown to the UK before they are no longer fit to fly.

James Heappey: The Ministry of Defence oversees the relocation of Eligible Persons (EPs) to the United Kingdom under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, working in close partnership with other Government departments. As part of the relocation process, the Ministry of Defence makes every effort to ensure that all EPs are medically fit to travel before departure, through work undertaken by His Majesty's Government’s (HMG) contracted medical advisor. When HMG are aware of pregnancy, flights are arranged to allow travel as quickly and as safely as is possible. This is, however, dependent on EPs disclosing their pregnancy, which we cannot guarantee. For the separate Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), flights and travel assistance are arranged by the Home Office and its partners, including the International Organization for Migration.

Christmas Island: Nuclear Weapons

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether islanders were displaced in order for the UK to test nuclear weapons on Kiritimati.

Dr Andrew Murrison: At the time it was selected for nuclear tests, Kiritimati was uninhabited, although indigenous people from the surrounding islands came to Kiritimati to work under the British authorities or on copra plantations. Historic records show these citizens were temporarily evacuated to ships or flown to nearby islands before UK nuclear weapons detonations.

Christmas Island: Nuclear Weapons

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK's nuclear testing on the (a) medical, (b) public and (c) genetic health of the population in Kiribati.

Dr Andrew Murrison: It has been the UK Government’s position since 2008 that any remediation work required due to UK nuclear tests in Kiribati has been completed. There are no plans for the UK Government to undertake a further assessment of the health of the population or environment of that nation.

Christmas Island: Nuclear Weapons

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has made periodic assessments of the potential impact of nuclear testing on the indigenous population in Kiribati.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on assessments made of the potential impact of the UK's nuclear testing on the (a) livelihoods and (b) environment of the local population in Kiritimati.

Dr Andrew Murrison: There was never any significant fallout from the UK’s nuclear detonations on the island. Multiple surveys have concluded there is no radiological risk to Kiribati’s population or to the environment on Kiritimati.

Christmas Island: Radioactive Waste

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has (a) sponsored operations to clear military waste on Kiritimati (i) in 2005 and (ii) at any other time and (b) made an assessment of the potential impact of that waste on the island's freshwater lens.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) arranged and took part in a specialist Reconnaissance Survey on Kiritimati during September 1998 to identify the types and quantities of waste materials, including an assessment of environmental risks, arising from the island's use as a base for the United Kingdom's nuclear test programme in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A further visit was made to Kiritimati in August 2000 by MOD and independent specialists to gather further detailed information for the proposed clean-up project. Removal of waste was undertaken between 2005 and 2008. The previous survey work had identified elevated levels of radioactivity associated with the presence of radium-226, commonly used to luminise vehicle instruments at the time of the test programme, but no other elevated levels of radioactivity substances were identified. Removal of the radium was achieved by removing the instruments and small quantities of soil from affected sites. Non-radioactive waste consisting of bitumen, rubber, metal and asbestos materials was also removed from the island.

Ministry of Defence: Fraud

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) fraud and (b) misconduct Fraud Defence closed in each year from 2019 to 2023 as of 23 November 2023.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Fraud Defence is the central team leading the Counter Fraud Function within Defence and operates an independent investigation team. The Fraud Defence investigators undertake investigations into fraud and financial impropriety that are not appropriate to be referred to the police (Fraud Defence does not investigate other types of misconduct). Fraud Defence investigation findings are referred to the relevant civilian or military business area to be resolved under their misconduct policy. Below are the cases closed by the relevant business area following a Fraud Defence investigation by year. YearClosed Fraud2019192020520213120227202313

Ministry of Defence: Fraud

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of (a) bribery and (b) corruption Fraud Defence closed in each year from 2019 to 2023 as of 23 November.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Fraud Defence do not investigate bribery and corruption offences. These are referred to the Ministry of Defence Police.

Ministry of Defence: Fraud

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases Fraud Defence opened in each year from 2019 to 2023 as of 23 November 2023.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Fraud Defence is the central team leading the Counter Fraud Function within Defence and operates an independent investigation team. Below are the number of new cases opened by the Fraud Defence investigation team by year. YearNew cases opened 2019212020920211520222020237

Veterans: Education

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value was of enhanced learning credits that expired in the 2022-23 financial year.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme promotes lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The scheme provides financial support in each of a maximum of three separate Financial Years (FY) for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the Recognised Qualification Framework or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification with an approved learning provider. A total of 27,543 ELC registered Service personnel reached their Scheme expiry date in FY 2022-23. Out of this number, 2,741 fully utilised their entitlement. The requested information on the value of expired ELC credits is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost; eligibility for lower and higher tier awards varies by time in service, and personnel may choose to use some (or none) of their three possible claims, and/or not claim their full entitlement.

National Shipbuilding Office: Finance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget for the National Shipbuilding Office has been in each year since 2021; and from where that funding is drawn.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) military and (b) civilian staff have been employed at the National Shipbuilding Office in each year since 2021.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff from (a) his Department and (b) other departments have been employed at the National Shipbuilding Office in each year since 2021.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is the Shipbuilding Tsar in his Department.

James Cartlidge: The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) is an Office of Department hosted by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Secretary of State for the Defence holds the position of Shipbuilding Tsar. The NSO’s budget is drawn from the MOD, Department for Business and Trade, Cabinet Office, Department for Transport and Department for Education. Since December 2022 all posts have been directly employed by the NSO except for one post which continues to be directly funded by the Department for Business and Trade and another by the Royal Navy.  Resource2021-2212022-2322023-24Budget£1,326 ,059£2,534,175£2,349,731Staffing – Military333Staffing – Civilian112020Staffing – Industry secondees3012Total Staffing41424251 2021 was a part year following the National Shipbuilding Office’s (NSO) creation.2 In response to Question 122041, answered on 17 January 2023, it was stated the annual budget of the NSO for financial year (FY)2021-22 was £2,534,175. It should have read FY2022-23.3 Industry secondees are paid by their home company whilst they work for the NSO.4 All staffing figures correspond to data taken at 31 October each year and do not include vacancies.

Ministry of Defence: Electronic Equipment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pieces of digital equipment were deconstructed and disposed of by his Department in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023 as of 20 November 2023.

James Cartlidge: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Defence: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the sustainable procurement working group met in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023 as of 20 November 2023.

James Cartlidge: The Sustainable Procurement Working Group met three times a year in 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022 and 2023.

Ministry of Defence: Contracts

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, of the 86 contracts awarded in 2022-23 for which social value formed part of the award criteria, what the average percentage weighting was of the criteria linked to social value.

James Cartlidge: In the period 2022-23, all but two procurements that included social value criteria used a 10% weighting (in line with the Social Value Model), and the other two used weightings higher than 10%.

Armed Forces: Housing

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timeline is for completing the assessment of the single living accommodation estate in relation to the new minimum standard.

James Cartlidge: The provision of high quality, subsidised, accommodation for Service personnel is a key priority for Defence. The assessment of the UK single living accommodation estate against the Defence Minimum Standard was completed on 13 November 2023. Work is ongoing regarding the results of that assessment.

Armed Forces: Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department expects the remaining GASKET 3 vehicles to be delivered.

James Cartlidge: All 88 GASKET 3 GB Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Electronic Countermeasures vehicles are forecast to be delivered by 26 September 2024. The remaining 15 specialist GASKET 3 variants are forecast to be delivered by 24 March 2025.

Ministry of Defence: Buildings

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 52 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, HC1468, published on 20 July 2023, when he plans to publish the estate sustainability strategy.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Estate Sustainability Strategy as set out in the 2022-23 Annual Report.

James Cartlidge: The Ministry of Defence is currently developing its estate sustainability strategy with the aim of publishing by autumn 2024. The estate sustainability strategy will provide overarching direction cohering supporting initiatives, including on energy resilience, decarbonisation, climate adaptation and land use.

Ajax Vehicles: Procurement

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ajax vehicles had been delivered to his Department as of (a) 1 January 2023, (b) 20 March 2023 and (c) 23 November 2023.

James Cartlidge: As at 1 January 2023 there had been 143 vehicles delivered to the Department. There have been no further deliveries since then as, in line with the production schedule, GDLS are currently engaged in manufacturing the first operational models for delivery starting in 2024.

HMS Vanguard: Repairs and Maintenance

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of the Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)) for HMS Vanguard.

James Cartlidge: I am withholding the estimated cost of HMS Vanguard's Deep Maintenance Project (Refuel) as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Devonport Dockyard: Repairs and Maintenance

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the (a) cost and (b) projected in-service date for each of the new build projects in the Devonport Royal Dockyard site development plan.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the parent project for each of the new build projects in the Devonport Royal Dockyard site plan; and what recent estimate he has made of the cost of each parent project.

James Cartlidge: The Devonport Submarine Infrastructure Programme will involve the investment of approximately £2.5 billion to provide new and refurbished facilities at HM Naval Base Devonport. The Department expects to gain beneficial use of the facilities currently under construction in 2024 (9, 14 and 15 Docks) and 2027 (10 Dock). The estimated costs for each project are commercially sensitive but they fall within the overall estimate of £2.5 billion.

Diego Garcia: USA

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on Diego Garcia in the past three months.

James Heappey: We are in regular contact with the US administration on matters related to the British Indian Ocean Territory at both Ministerial and official levels.

Army: Procurement

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Industrial Health Assessment commissioned under the Land Industrial Strategy.

James Cartlidge: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 201296 to the right hon. Member for North Durham, Mr Kevan Jones. The report will not be published externally due to reasons of operational security.Ministry of Defence: Health and Safety (docx, 23.8KB)

Israel: Military Aid

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the military cooperation agreement signed by the UK and Israel in December 2020.

James Heappey: An agreement for UK-Israel military cooperation was signed in December 2020. It incorporates a range of defence engagement activity, including defence education and joint training. Unfortunately, it is not possible to release the agreement as it is held at a higher classification.

Ministry of Defence: Electronic Equipment

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of obsolete equipment from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Disposals Team went to landfill in (a) 2019 (b) 2020 (c) 2021 (d) 2022 (e) 2023 to date.

James Cartlidge: The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Disposals Team is not responsible for the disposal of obsolete equipment. The DIO Disposal Team is responsible for the disposal of surplus land and infrastructure.

Israel: Military Aid

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has provided (a) lethal aid and (b) other military equipment to Israel since 7 October 2023.

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military support his Department has provided to Israel since 7 October 2023.

James Heappey: Since 7 October 2023, the UK has provided medical equipment, including defibrillators and emergency blankets, in response to a direct request from the Israeli Defence Force. This is in line with our approach of providing life-saving medical supplies in response to requests from other governments around the world. The UK has a longstanding defence relationship with Israel. The Ministry of Defence is considering how best to support in line with our wider objectives to seek a political resolution to the conflict, support Israel's right to protect itself against Hamas, and ensure all parties adhere to their International Humanitarian Law obligations.

Armed Forces: Physiotherapy

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time equivalent military physiotherapists are deployed in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland, (d) Wales and (e) overseas as of 16 November 2023.

Dr Andrew Murrison: As at 1 July 2023, the Defence Medical Services Bi-Annual Workforce Return indicated there were 111 full-time equivalent military physiotherapists, of which 83 serve within the British Army and 28 serve within the Royal Air Force. Data is not centrally held on the geographic location of these personnel.

Armed Forces: Health and Safety

Neale Hanvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending health and safety legislation to cover armed forces personnel serving overseas.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Given the nature of defence operations, our personnel are often asked to work in challenging environments around the world. For this reason, it would not be practical to apply health and safety legislation that has been developed to provide safe working environments within the UK, when overseas. I would like to provide reassurance that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does seek to comply with local health and safety standards and where these local standards fall below those expected within UK, the MOD applies UK standards so far as it is reasonably practicable.

Ministry of Defence: Apprentices

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprenticeship programmes his Department introduced in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022.

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprentices his Department employed in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The number of new apprenticeship programmes introduced and the number of apprentices, for the Armed Forces and Defence Civil Service, as at the start (September) of each academic year:YearNew apprenticeship programmesNumber of apprentices20191221,45220201222,2272021924,15220223925,896

Ministry of Defence: Environment Protection

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many ministerial meetings his Department has held with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on scoping plans for the Greening Government Commitments 2025-30.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Regular meetings take place at an official level with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs engaging on this matter.

Service Justice System Review

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the service justice system review; what steps he is taking to implement outstanding recommendations; and what his timeline is for completion of that implementation.

Dr Andrew Murrison: In November 2023, 134 (61%) of the 221 Service Justice System Review (SJSR) recommendations will have been implemented, driving significant positive improvement in the way Defence deals with Service Justice, including in relation to the investigation and prosecution of sexual offending and support for victims/survivors. Implementation of 70 of the 134 completed recommendations has been achieved in the last 18 months. The 87 remaining SJSR recommendations (39%) are complex but are being addressed at pace. It is expected that the majority of these will be completed in 2024.

Ministry of Defence: Apprentices

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 12 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23, how many Level 4 Apprentices his Department has recruited since the Finance Profession, Skills and Talent Management Strategy was revised in May 2022.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Finance apprenticeship approach was adopted by the Department's Finance profession in February 2019. Apprenticeships are the preferred route to qualification however alternative routes to achieve the professional finance qualification include direct study with local colleges, and Government Finance Function provided programmes like CIMA Accelerated (level 7 only).Since May 2022, the Department has onboarded 51 personnel onto the Level 4 Finance Apprenticeship. The Department has recently concluded an external recruitment campaign for Level 4 Finance apprentices across MOD; 17 posts have been offered, with 9 people in post and the remainder undergoing vetting or working their notice periods. These apprentices will commence their studies from January 2024, and are in addition to the 51 above. DE&S, one of the Department's Enabling Organisations, has been recruiting apprentices since 2015 and since that date has externally recruited 189 personnel onto Finance Apprenticeships; the DE&S programme is a joint Level 3 and Level 4 programme.

Armed Forces: Pay

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) mean, (b) median and (c) mode average salary is for personnel in the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) Royal Air Force, and (iii) Army.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The below table details the mean, median and mode average salary for personnel in the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force calculated based on JPA pay data. ServiceMean SalaryMedian SalaryModal SalaryNavy37,41234,61021,480Army35,33032,79721,480Air39,09035,28521,480 - An individuals salary information is based on the value given as their 'salary admin' on the JPA pay database as at 1 April 2022. Salary includes basic pay and X-Factor but excludes any other allowances.- X-Factor is a pensionable addition to basic military pay, intended to recognise the special conditions of military life, as compared with civilian employment.- Data are for all UK Regular Forces (which included all Trained and Untrained personnel) and Gurkhas who were on strengths in JPA as at 1 April 2022 and had a salary value. Data includes Officers and Other Ranks. Full-time reservists and mobilised reservists are excluded.- Navy includes Royal Marines.- Averages are rounded to the nearest pound.

Ministry of Defence: Sexual Harassment

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what procedures his Department has to hold (a) members of the armed forces and (b) civilian defence personnel accountable for acts of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated in Defence, and anyone failing to meet our values and standards will be dealt with robustly. There is no place in either the Civil Service or the Armed Forces for unacceptable sexual behaviour; the Armed Forces have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy with a presumption of discharge for any Service Person who engages in unacceptable sexual behaviour. The Civil Service has an equally robust policy which can result in dismissal. Sexual harassment can be reported through informal or formal complaints processes, and any formal complaint of sexual harassment will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action taken. If the harassment is judged to amount to unlawful conduct, individuals are encouraged to contact the Service, civilian or Ministry of Defence police. Where a Service Complaint has been raised for sexual harassment by a member of the Armed Forces, it is dealt with entirely outside the individual’s chain of command; it is investigated by the Outsourced Investigation Service and an Independent Member oversees the Decision and Appeal Bodies, to ensure the case is dealt with fairly. For civil servants, all formal complaints relating to bullying, harassment including sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation are dealt with outside of the line management chain from beginning to end of the process, including the investigation, which is conducted by an Outsourced Investigation Service. Where such a complaint is upheld, respondents who are civil servants will face action through the misconduct and discipline policy and procedures, which are clear that more severe examples of bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation, particularly where it is intentional and conscious, constitute gross misconduct, and the likely sanction is dismissal. Defence is working to prevent and tackle all forms of unacceptable behaviour, including sexual harassment. The importance of tackling this type of behaviour is recognised at the highest levels of Defence; the leadership of Defence – both Civil Service and military – are fully committed to taking the actions required to tackle this type of behaviour. To do this, we need more people to report sexual harassment when it happens. Reports of sexual harassment will be treated seriously, sensitively, promptly and in confidence. Our non-executive directors have been asked to review the Civil Service complaints procedures and the ‘Speak Up’ arrangements against external best practice to see how they could be further strengthened.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs: Hertfordshire

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November to Question 1392 on Special Educational Needs: Hertfordshire, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Children's Services Commissioner to assist Hertfordshire County Council to deliver their statutory responsibilities to (a) SEND children and (b) their families.

David Johnston: When an inspection report identifies a local area that has widespread and/or systemic failings, the department’s response follows a tiered intervention model based on a robust assessment of need in that local area. I will consider issuing an improvement notice to the local authority unless there is compelling and strong evidence not to. This is to make sure that they improve their services quickly and effectively.The department is meeting local leaders in Hertfordshire in early December to scrutinise their plans for rapid improvement and the local area partnership is required to submit a detailed priority action plan to Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission by 19 December 2023. To ensure independent and expert oversight of delivery of this plan, the partnership has appointed Dame Christine Lenehan as the new chair of the partnership’s multi-agency improvement board. The department will monitor progress every three months against the Priority Action Plan and Ofsted will visit after 18 months for formal monitoring. If there is persistent or whole service failure, the department will consider a range of further interventions to bring about fast improvement. These include issuing a statutory direction and appointing a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities commissioner.

Pupils: Portsmouth South

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the real term change in average per pupil spending was in Portsmouth South constituency between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the real term changes in funding for schools in Portsmouth South constituency between 2023-24 and 2024-25 on a) educational attainment of pupils b) classroom sizes and c) classroom resources.

Damian Hinds: This government is committed to providing a world-class education system for all children and has invested significantly in education to achieve that.Nationally, funding for both mainstream schools and high needs, including additional funding for teachers’ pay, is over £1.8 billion higher in 2024/25, compared to 2023/24. The overall core school budget will total over £59.6 billion in 2024/25. This is the highest ever in real terms per pupil.Through the schools National Funding Formula (NFF), the department calculates and publishes notional funding allocations for each mainstream school. These are aggregated at local authority level and, following an update in pupil numbers, are used to calculate each local authority’s Dedicated School Grant (DSG) allocations. Each local authority then determines individual schools’ final funding allocations through their own local formula.Through the 2023/24 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £5,814 per pupil. Through the 2024/25 notional NFF, schools in Portsmouth South are allocated an average £6,135 per pupil. This is a cash increase of 2.0% compared to 2023/24. This increase is after taking into account the mainstream schools additional grant (MSAG), which the department has rolled into the schools NFF in 2024/25, to ensure that this additional funding forms an on-going part of schools’ core budgets.These constituency figures are based on an aggregation of school-level allocations. Schools’ actual allocations are based on local authorities’ funding formulae.The figures do not include the additional funding the department is providing through the Teachers Pay Additional Grant (TPAG). Nor do they include other grants, such as the Pupil Premium.The government provides these increases to school revenue budgets so that schools can cover cost increases in the year ahead. However, schools have autonomy over their own spending and should use this to raise attainment as well as to manage their classroom resources.

Schools: Protest

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of the organising of strikes during the school day by (a) teachers, (b) parents and (c) students in connection with the Israel-Hamas war.

Damian Hinds: Children should be in school. While the department recognises young people should be able to peacefully express their views, the department does not condone missing out on their education to protest. Missing school only disrupts lessons and adds to teachers’ workloads. The department will continue talking to the local authorities affected to offer support where needed. Any absence of this nature will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’, and parents may be given a penalty notice or prosecuted as a result. The department also expects teachers to fulfil their contractual requirements. It would be completely inappropriate for teachers to attend such protests during working hours. Earlier this week the department wrote to schools, expressing our strong support for headteachers and local authorities in setting clear expectations that pupils should be in school and in enforcing them appropriately, including using fixed penalty notices where applicable. It is the priority of the department that all students and young people learn in a safe and supportive environment. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, wrote to all schools and colleges on 17 October to provide advice on how to respond to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the classroom. To help schools navigate teaching about political issues, the department has also published guidance for teachers and leaders around political impartiality. Now is not the time for divisive, politically motivated rhetoric. Now is the time to do everything possible to ensure that students, staff and young people, many of whom will be personally affected by the ongoing conflict, are supported and feel safe in education settings. The department will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Extended Services

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of two hours of wraparound care for reception age children.

David Johnston: In the Spring Budget 2023, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a transformative set of childcare reforms aimed at increasing labour market participation. This included the largest ever investment in childcare, including expansions of early years entitlements and wraparound childcare.The government is investing £289 million in a new wraparound childcare programme to support local authorities to work with primary schools and providers, including childminders, to set up and deliver more wraparound childcare before and after school in the term time. The government’s ambition is for all parents of primary school children, including reception age children, to be able to access childcare in their local area from 8am to 6pm when they need it.Parents should expect to see an expansion in the availability of wraparound care from September 2024, with every parent who needs it able to access term-time wraparound childcare by September 2026. Programme funding allocations for local authorities were announced on 27 October 2023.As part of the programme, local authorities will make an assessment of the supply and demand of wraparound care in their areas to ensure that there is adequate provision for the needs of parents.

Literacy: Children

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to extend the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme.

David Johnston: The department is investing over £17 million on the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), improving the language skills of reception age children who need it most following the pandemic. In July 2023, the department announced that funded support for the 11,100 schools registered for the NELI programme would continue for the academic year 2023/24.The programme targets children needing extra support with their speech and language development and is proven to help them make four months of additional progress; this is seven months for those on free school meals.The department estimates that the programme has screened over 500,000 children in the last three years and supported 160,000 children affected by the pandemic.

Schools: Bullying

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle bullying in schools.

Damian Hinds: The government has sent a clear message to schools that bullying, for whatever reason, is unacceptable. Bullying can have a devastating effect on individuals, harm their education and have serious and lasting consequences for their mental health.All schools are legally required to have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying. Schools have the freedom to develop their own anti-bullying strategies that are appropriate to their environment and are held to account by Ofsted.The department is providing over £3 million of funding, between 10 August 2021 and 31 March 2024, to five anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. This includes projects targeting bullying of particular groups, such as those who are victims of hate-related bullying and homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.In November 2018, the department published ‘Educate Against Hate’, a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole-school approach which promotes respect and discipline. This can combat bullying, harassment and prejudice of any kind, including sexual bullying and sexual harassment. It will help schools to identify the various elements that make up a whole school approach, consider gaps in their current practice, and get further support. ‘Educate Against Hate’ is available at: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/school-leaders/?filter=guidance-and-training-school-leaders.​The department is also making sure that all children in England will learn about respectful relationships, in person and online, as part of new mandatory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). These subjects are designed to give pupils the knowledge they need to lead happy, safe and healthy lives, as well as to foster respect for other people and for difference. RSHE also includes teaching about online safety and harms.

Children: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support children with ADHD in schools.

David Johnston: In the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) improvement plan, the department set out its vision to improve mainstream education by setting standards for the early and accurate identification of needs and for timely access to support to meet those needs, including for children and young people with ADHD. The standards will clarify the types of support that should be ordinarily available in mainstream settings and who is responsible for securing the support.The department will also develop practitioner standards to equip frontline professionals to make best use of provision and identify needs early, accurately and consistently. The first three practice guides will be published by the end of 2025 and will focus on advice for mainstream settings which is rooted in existing best practice.To support the needs of pupils with SEND, particularly in mainstream settings where most of these learners are educated, the department has funded the Universal Services programme. This programme, backed by almost £12 million of funding, will help the school and further education workforce to identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND earlier and more effectively. It will also help them successfully prepare children and young people for adulthood, including employment.

Members: Correspondence

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the email of 5 October 2023 from the hon. member for Sheffield, Heeley on the availability of RAAC funding for a school in that constituency.

Damian Hinds: I can confirm that a response to the correspondence dated 5 October 2023, case ref: LH25595, from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley, was sent on 23 October 2023.

Academies: Arts and Sports

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure all academy trusts offer opportunities for pupils to (a) learn and (b) participate in (i) music, (ii) sport and (iii) art activities.

Damian Hinds: The government believes in a high-quality education for all pupils. Integral to this is learning and participation in music, the arts and sport. This is reflected in the National Curriculum, which includes the following subjects: music, art and design, English which incorporates literature and drama, and physical education which incorporates dance. Whilst academies are not required to follow the National Curriculum, they must provide a broad and balanced curriculum in accordance with Section 1 of the 2010 Academies Act, which can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/32/section/1. This means that academies are required to teach a curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school. Academies are also subject to the Ofsted education inspection framework which came into effect in September 2019. The framework has a strong emphasis on ensuring that schools provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils; and building pupils’ cultural capital informs Ofsted’s judgement about the quality of education. This applies equally to academies and maintained schools, and to special schools. Finally, in the School Sport and Activity Action Plan update published in July 2023 and the National Plan for Music Education published in June 2022, the government sets the same expectation on academies as it does maintained schools. The same will be the case for the forthcoming Cultural Education Plan.

Free School Meals

Tahir Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an estimate of the proportion of eligible school children who do not receive free school meals.

Damian Hinds: The department wants to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming free school meals (FSM). FSM eligibility has been extended several times and to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century. Over a third of pupils in England now receive FSM in schools, compared with one in six in 2010. The department wants to make it simple for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility. To support this, the department is providing an Eligibility Checking System to make the checking process as quick and straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities. The department has also developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM, and provided guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisers so that they can make Universal Credit recipients aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including FSM.

Schools: Dance

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that all schools provide opportunities for students to undertake dance classes.

Damian Hinds: The government wants all pupils to be healthy and active. A positive experience of sport and physical activity at a young age can create a lifelong habit of participation. Physical education (PE) is a foundation subject at all four key stages, and it is a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils to access. Dance features specifically in the content of the PE national curriculum at key stages 1 to 3. The PE curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time and lead healthy and active lives. Schools are free to decide how to offer dance as part of an ambitious PE curriculum, and what extra-curricular activity they provide for their pupils. Through the primary PE and sport premium, the government has invested over £2 billion of ring-fenced funding to primary schools to improve PE and sport since 2013. The premium should be used by schools to make additional and sustainable improvements, and schools are able to use this to enhance their dance offer. In addition, the department’s Opening School Facilities programme supports schools to increase their extra-curricular offer by encouraging them to open their facilities beyond their usual operating hours. This means schools can provide more opportunities to young people to become physically active, including through dance.

School Meals: Standards

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of school meals within (a) primary and (b) secondary education.

Damian Hinds: The standards for school food are set out in the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014. The standards are designed to ensure that schools provide children with healthy food and drink options, and to make sure that children get the energy and nutrition they need across the school day. Compliance with the School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools in both primary and secondary settings. The Standards can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1603/contents/made. The department believes that the current standards provide a robust yet flexible framework to ensure that pupils in England continue to receive high-quality and nutritious food that builds healthy eating habits for life. The department continues to keep the School Food Standards under review.

Apprentices: Taxation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the apprenticeship levy on the uptake of apprenticeships.

Robert Halfon: Since 2010, there have been over 5.5 million apprenticeship starts. During that time, the department has built a new skills system from the ground up which better meets the needs of employers and apprentices today. The apprenticeship levy was introduced in 2017 to incentivise larger businesses to develop and invest in their own apprenticeship programmes whilst ensuring the availability of funding for smaller employers wanting to offer apprenticeships. There have been over 2.2 million apprenticeship starts in employers of all sizes across England since the levy was introduced. There are now over 680 high quality standards available from entry level right through to masters level, with over 5,000 employers involved in their development. There is now a much broader range of apprenticeships than ever before in occupations such as architect, cyber security, and nursing, in addition to traditional occupations like bricklayer, plumber, or hairdresser. More apprentices are now taking higher level subjects linked to higher paid jobs in key areas. Starts on higher apprenticeships at Level 4 and above have more than doubled, from 48,150 in the 2017/18 academic year to 106,360 in the 2021/22 academic year. The department has also seen year-on-year growth of degree level apprenticeships with almost 196,000 starts since their introduction in 2014. The department is providing an additional £40 million over the next two years to support degree apprenticeship providers to expand and help more people access them. The apprenticeship levy has enabled the government to increase investment in the apprenticeships system in England, reaching £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year. In the past two financial years, on average 98% of the English apprenticeship budget was spent showing strong demand by employers for high quality apprenticeships training. Large employers can use their levy contributions to fund apprenticeships in their own business, or they can transfer their funds to other businesses in their supply chain, sector or region. Funds that levy payers do not draw on are used to fund apprenticeship training in small and medium sized businesses which allows employers of all sizes to benefit from training apprentices.

Schools: Football

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase access to football coaching in schools for boys and girls.

Damian Hinds: Schools can organise and deliver a diverse and challenging physical education (PE) and school sport offer which best suits the needs of their pupils. Factors influencing that decision include the spaces available for sports, along with available equipment.Where schools want to provide specific sports, they can draw on support from the relevant national governing body, for example the Football Association and other footballing bodies offer a wide range of resources, age-appropriate guidance and advice for delivering football in schools.On 8 March 2023, the Department announced over £600 million in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years for the primary PE and sport premium, and £57 million up to March 2025 for the Opening School Facilities programme. Schools can use this funding to increase provision and raise the quality of sports such as football.

Out-of-School Education: Monitoring

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to monitor unregistered schools.

Damian Hinds: Unregistered schools are settings that operate as an independent school without having registered with the department. It is a criminal offence under section 96 of the Education and Skills 2008 Act for a person to operate an unregistered independent school. Where the department finds evidence that a school is operating unlawfully, the department will seek to take action by working with Ofsted, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as necessary. Since those responsible for conducting unregistered schools are committing an offence, they do not generally inform the department about the school’s operation, it is therefore not possible to monitor such settings.  However, the department and Ofsted continue to investigate any setting where there is evidence to suggest that an unregistered independent school is operating. Ofsted has powers under section 97 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 that allows for unannounced inspections of settings believed to be operating in breach of the registration requirement. Ofsted publishes statistics on the number and outcomes of investigations carried out into unregistered schools. Statistics published for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 August 2023, show that 767 inspections of suspected unregistered independent schools took place. Joint work between the department and Ofsted has led to 180 of these settings changing their provision to no longer operate unlawfully, in breach of the 2008 Act. In that time six successful prosecutions have been brought against those responsible for conducting illegal settings. More information and a link to the Education and Skills Act 2008 can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average amount of per pupil funding in mainstream schools in (a) North West Norfolk constituency, (b) Norfolk and (c) England is (i) in the 2023-24 and (ii) planned for in the 2024-2025 financial year.

Damian Hinds: Through the schools national funding formula (NFF), the department calculates and publishes notional funding allocations for each mainstream school. These are aggregated up at local authority level and, following an update in pupil numbers, are used to calculate each local authority’s dedicated schools grant (DSG) allocations. Each local authority then determines individual schools’ final funding allocations through their own local formula. In the 2023/24 financial year, through the DSG and mainstream schools additional grant (MSAG) combined, the national average per-pupil funding for mainstream schools in England is £5,839, a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Norfolk’s average per-pupil funding is £5,723, a 5.7% increase from the previous year. These are actual funding allocations. The department does not calculate the equivalent figures at constituency level as they would depend on each local authority’s own local formula. The department has not yet published the DSG allocations for the 2024/25 financial year. However, we have published notional school level allocations through the NFF. In 2024/25, through the notional NFF allocations, the national average per-pupil funding for England will be £5,950, a 1.9% increase from this current financial year. Norfolk’s average per-pupil funding will be £5,851, a 2.2% increase from this current financial year. North West Norfolk’s average per-pupil funding based on the notional NFF allocations will be £5,833, a 2.2% increase from this current financial year. However, final allocations for North West Norfolk will depend on the local authority’s local formula. The department does not have the equivalent per-pupil figure at constituency level for 2023/24 since it would not include the MSAG, which is paid separately from the NFF in 2023/24. The figures above do not include the additional funding we are providing through the Teachers Pay Additional Grant , which is being provided on top of the DSG and the NFF in both 2023/24 and 2024/25. Nor do they include other grants, such as the pupil premium.

Literacy: Children

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve rates of literacy in children aged eight to 13.

Damian Hinds: The government is committed to continuing to raise literacy standards, ensuring that all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can read fluently and with understanding. The department funds a broad range of supportive measures designed to improve literacy rates amongst all pupils. Since 2010, the government has strengthened the effective teaching of phonics by placing it at the heart of the curriculum and introducing a statutory phonics screening check in 2012 for pupils at the end of year 1 to help schools measure progress. The government wants to improve literacy levels to give all children a solid base upon which to build as they progress through school by ensuring high quality, systematic synthetic phonics teaching. In 2018, the department launched the English Hubs Programme to improve the teaching of reading with a focus on phonics, early language and reading for pleasure. Since its launch, the Programme has provided appropriate and targeted support to several thousands of primary schools across England. The department has so far invested over £67 million in this school-to-school improvement programme and has committed a further £40 million up to the end of the 2024/25 financial year, with £25.6 million of this committed for 2023/24. In July 2021, the department published the ‘Reading Framework: teaching the foundations of literacy’ non-statutory guidance which was aimed at improving the teaching of the foundations of reading in primary schools by defining pedagogy and best practice. The department published an expanded Reading Framework in July 2023, which builds on the original Framework and covers the teaching of reading in key stages 2 and 3, including guidance on how to help pupils who need more support to learn to read proficiently. Also in July, the department announced its intention to launch an evidence review of best practice in the teaching of writing. This will be a valuable resource for schools and will inform further research and guidance. The scope of this review will likely include what the department wants children to be able to achieve at the end of primary school so that they are set up well to succeed in secondary school. Furthermore, the department is committed to offering teachers access to high quality continuous professional development. The Leading Literacy National Professional Qualification (NPQLL), launched in October 2022, supports school literacy leaders to have a secure understanding of the importance of literacy and recognise the influence it has on pupils’ future academic achievement, wellbeing and success in life. It will support leaders to develop expertise in the teaching of reading and writing and enable them to share their expertise effectively to improve literacy outcomes for every child.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education: Human Tissue

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to amend guidance on personal, social, health and economic education in schools to promote discussion and awareness of organ, blood and stem cell donation.

Damian Hinds: The national curriculum includes substantial content which can be used by teachers as an opportunity to inform pupils about organ, stem cell and blood donation. For example, pupils are taught about the function of the heart, blood vessels and blood as part of key stage 2 science and about stem cells as part of key stage 4 science.Alongside the national curriculum, stem cell donation can be taught as part of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and as part of compulsory Health Education, as pupils should know the facts about organ and blood donation.To support schools further, the teacher training module ‘physical health and fitness’ also includes information on blood, organ and stem cell donation. A link to this module can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-training-physical-health-and-fitness.As with other aspects of the curriculum, schools have flexibility over how and when they deliver these topical subjects and can respond according to pupil needs.The department has been reviewing the RSE and Health Education guidance and aims to launch a public consultation very soon. Following the consultation, the department will make a decision about any new or revised content to be included in the statutory guidance, including additional content. The department anticipates that the revised guidance will be published in 2024.

Apprentices: Greater London

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeship starts there were in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, (b) Bexley Borough and (c) Greater London in each year since 2010.

Robert Halfon: Since the 2010/11 academic year, there have been 8,480 apprenticeship starts in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, 22,140 in Bexley and 529,370 in London reported to date. These totals include figures for the 2022/23 academic year, which are provisional and cover the first three quarters from August 2022 to April 2023. The full year figures for the 2022/23 academic year will be published on 30 November 2023.Apprenticeship starts are recorded on the Individualised Learner Record and published by the department in the apprenticeships and traineeships statistics publication, which can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships-and-traineeships.Apprenticeship starts for the Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, Bexley and London for the 2010/11 to 2022/23 academic years are available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/befe0070-1c12-4f0f-6246-08dbea615343.

Special Educational Needs: Finance

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the national funding formula for schools and high needs.

Damian Hinds: The National Funding Formula (NFF) replaced a system which was unfair, lacked transparency and was out of date. Schools and local areas received very different levels of funding, with little or no justification. By comparison, the NFF distributes funding fairly, based on schools’ and pupils’ needs and characteristics.Moving to a ‘direct’ NFF, where all schools’ budgets are determined directly by the national formula, will ultimately ensure that mainstream schools in England are funded on a fair and equitable basis. This will complete the reforms started in 2018 when the department first introduced the NFF to ensure all schools were funded on a consistent assessment of need.The department keeps the formula under review and will consider further whether and when additional changes might be necessary to ensure that our funding system is kept up to date in a way that is fair and is allocating funding where it is needed most.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory in the last month.

David Rutley: The Foreign Secretary has not yet had discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, the Prime Minister met Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth in the margins of the G20 Summit in Delhi on 9 September, and the former Foreign Secretary met his Mauritian counterpart in the margins of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on 1 March. The British Indian Ocean Territory was discussed at both meetings. Additionally, since November 2022, senior UK officials have held eight rounds of negotiations with their Mauritian counterparts on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago.

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Aid

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure the long-term stability of (a) NGOs and (b) aid agencies that (i) provide humanitarian support and (ii) have other operations in Afghanistan.

Leo Docherty: The UK Government is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is one of FCDO's largest bilateral aid programmes this financial year, at £100 million. Since April 2021, the UK has disbursed over £600 million in aid for Afghanistan, providing lifesaving support to the most vulnerable. The UK has recently launched two multi-year humanitarian programmes from 2023 - 2026, through which we will spend up to £400 million through UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs. The UK is also funding NGOs through our Supporting Afghanistan's Basic Services programme. We continue to support the World Bank's Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund.

Gaza and Lebanon: White Phosphorus

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports by (a) Human Rights Watch and (b) Amnesty International alleging the use of white phosphorus in (i) Lebanon and (ii) Gaza.

David Rutley: We are aware of reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International alleging the use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and Gaza. HMG will not provide a running commentary on possible violations of International Humanitarian Law. The Government keeps policy regularly under review to ensure it meets our obligations and needs at the time. While it is the responsibility of the parties themselves to ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law, the UK Government is scrupulous in ensuring that its own actions do not in any way assist or support the violation of international law.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of aid supplied to Gaza; and what steps he is taking to ensure that aid is not utilised by Hamas.

David Rutley: The UK Government has recently announced £30 million of humanitarian funding to Gaza; and has sent more than 51 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians. This funding will support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and others to respond to critical food, water, health and shelter needs. The UNRWA is currently the only agency able to operate at scale in Gaza. This is in addition to the £27 million of bilateral funding for FY 23/24 to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).All FCDO partners in the OPTs operate with enhanced sensitivity requirements and additional safeguards to protect against the possibility of aid diversion. These safeguards include measures on verification and mapping of downstream partners, non-payment of local taxes and enhanced due diligence processes.

Palestinian Mission UK: Security

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to take steps to provide diplomatic protection to the Palestinian Mission in London.

David Rutley: The UK Government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security.

Gaza: Armed Conflict

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the statement by the UN entitled Gaza: UN experts call on international community to prevent genocide against the Palestinian people, published on 16 November 2023, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of that statement.

David Rutley: The UK's longstanding policy is that any judgment as to whether genocide or international crimes have occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, not governments or non-judicial bodies. We have consistently called on Israel to respect International Humanitarian Law regarding its operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Gaza: Fuels

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent steps the Government has taken to facilitate supplies of fuel to Gaza.

David Rutley: We are deeply concerned about the fuel shortages in Gaza. Fuel is necessary to allow humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance, power hospitals and operate desalinisation plants. The Government of Israel must allow sufficient aid and fuel into Gaza to meet the needs of civilians. We understand that some 282,000 litres of fuel have entered Gaza from the Rafah crossing in Egypt since the 15th of November, but significantly more is needed. The UK continues to press our Israeli counterparts to adhere to International Humanitarian Law and allow sustained humanitarian access.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to his Oral Statement of 14 November 2023 on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Official Report, column 508, what (a) aerial and (b) maritime contingencies are under consideration to help increase the supply of aid to Gaza.

David Rutley: We continue to work with our partners to coordinate the humanitarian response and ensure lifesaving assistance can reach the people who need it. The focus remains on land routes, but we are also actively exploring maritime options at this juncture. The Government of Israel must allow sufficient aid and fuel into Gaza to meet the needs of civilians. The UK has committed an additional £30 million of aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to support humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance.

Libya: Floods

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of (a) long-term humanitarian support and (b) reconstruction efforts following the flooding in Derna in Libya.

David Rutley: We remain committed to ensuring that the reconstruction of the flood impacted area is funded through a unified Libyan national mechanism that can deliver transparent, rights-based, and accountable financial support for reconstruction.We stand ready to support the reconstruction with technical assistance from the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and EU, who stand ready to support transparency and will help to identify in an inclusive manner how best to reconstruct, and how to manage the funding.In the longer term, the UK believes an inclusive, representative political dialogue is the only way to overcome the current political impasse. It is within the power of Libya's leaders to provide this solution - they must put aside their differences and prioritise the interests of the Libyan people.

Gaza: Civilians

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to help support relatives of UK citizens to leave Gaza.

David Rutley: he safety of all British nationals and their immediate family members (spouse/partner and children under 18, if the British national is a child under 18 then their parents and siblings under 18) continues to be our utmost priority. We are doing everything we can to support them in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are working closely with Israeli counterparts and international partners, as well as signposting British nationals and their dependents to our travel advice, online pages for advice: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad and www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk. Over 200 British nationals and their dependents have crossed into Egypt, with onward support to Cairo, and we are continuing to offer support to those that are yet to cross. The Prime Minister has also met, in the UK and Israel, several families of those believed to have been taken hostage.

Israel: Palestinians

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the impact for his Department's policies of the statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, dated 5 November 2023.

David Rutley: The UK's position is to support Humanitarian pauses. We continue to press - both at the UN and directly with Israel - for urgent and substantive humanitarian pauses that allow aid, such as food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel, to enter and British nationals to leave. The UK's humanitarian efforts complement those of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee; since the start of the conflict the UK has committed £30 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, more than doubling our existing aid commitment for this year at £27 million. This will allow trusted partners to provide essential humanitarian relief items and services such as food, water and shelter.

Hamas: Sexual Offences

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had in international fora on (a) rape and (b) sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will raise in the United Nations, the issue of gender-based violence by Hamas terrorists.

David Rutley: We are aware of the shocking reports of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October. It is vital that reports of sexual violence are investigated independently, rigorously and sensitively to avoid re-traumatisation, that perpetrators are held to account and that survivors receive holistic support.  We continue to engage regularly with partners, including the United Nations, to urge that all reports of sexual violence in conflict are investigated, that survivors have access to specialized services and justice, and that parties abide by applicable international humanitarian and human rights law.

Occupied Territories: Educational Institutions

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will take steps to help support the reopening of educational institutions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

David Rutley: We maintain regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) regarding the provision of educational services in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Hamas: Israel

Antony Higginbotham: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) Hezbollah and (b) other groups sponsored by Iran in Syria do not escalate conflict with Israel during its war with Hamas.

David Rutley: The UK is clear that Hamas is fully responsible for these appalling acts of terror in Israel. We are also clear that Iran poses an unacceptable threat to Israel. We have long condemned Iran's destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial, and military support to several militant and proscribed groups, including Hamas, Hizballah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Such activity compromises the region's security, its ability to prosper and further escalates tensions. In his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 3 November, the former Foreign Secretary made clear that Iran must use its influence with groups in the region to prevent escalation, and that Iran bore responsibility for the actions of groups they had supported over many years. We continue to work closely with our partners to hold Iran to account, and we currently have over 350 sanctions in place against the Iranian regime. We expect to see total international condemnation of the atrocities committed by Hamas. The UK Government will continue to stand with Israel as it faces pressing challenges to its security. We have deployed UK military assets to the region to carry out surveillance and act as a deterrent. On 14 November, the Foreign Secretary also announced targeted sanctions, coordinated with the US, against Hamas leadership (four Hamas leaders and two financiers) to disrupt Hamas operations in Gaza and wherever their leaders base themselves.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory in the last three months.

David Rutley: The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia. The UK Government is in regular contact with the US on a range of topics related to the British Indian Ocean Territory / Chagos Archipelago, including the sovereignty negotiations. The US fully supports the process of bilateral negotiations.

Israel: Palestinians

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the Government plans to support independent investigations into alleged breaches of international law during the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Dan Carden: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure collaboration of relevant parties with the (a) the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel and (b) Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on the investigation opened in March 2021.

David Rutley: The UK is a strong supporter of international justice and respects the independence of the International Criminal Court. However, the UK has been clear that we oppose the open-ended nature of the Commission of Inquiry on the situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza and its vaguely defined mandate. We have also been clear that the UK supports justified and proportionate scrutiny of the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories at the Human Rights Council. The British Government has consistently called for all parties to meet their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law.

Afghanistan: Development Aid

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the oral evidence given by Andrew McCoubrey, Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan of his Department, to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Follow-up to Afghanistan Inquiry on 17 October 2023, Q33, HC 1888 of Session 2022-23, if he will make a commitment to publishing his Department’s analysis of the implications for UK aid funding decisions for Afghanistan of the United Nations Integrated Food Security Phase Classification assessment of Afghanistan, due to be completed by the end of November 2023.

Leo Docherty: As the Development White Paper highlights, the UK Government prioritises humanitarian assistance to people in greatest need. On Monday the UK hosted the Global Food Security Summit, announcing up to £100 million in new humanitarian funding to countries worst hit by food insecurity, including Afghanistan. We continue to monitor the food security situation in Afghanistan, including analysing Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) data and other assessments and evidence, and use these to inform portfolio planning. In recognition of the needs in Afghanistan this year, we provided the World Food Programme with over £30 million for emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance.

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Aid

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the oral evidence given by Andrew McCoubrey, Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan of his Department, to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Follow-up to Afghanistan Inquiry on 17 October 2023, Q33, HC 1888 of Session 2022-23, what steps the Government has taken to encourage the World Bank to release further funds from the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund to provide (a) humanitarian assistance following the recent earthquake in Afghanistan and (b) support for Afghan people during winter 2023-23.

Leo Docherty: The FCDO is committed to supporting Afghanistan's citizens, including helping them respond to the recent earthquake. We provided an additional £1 million to Red Cross and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund to provide emergency shelter, food and health assistance. The UK has been instrumental in unlocking over $1 billion through the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund and we continue to work with the World Bank to deliver support at scale in health, food security and community resilience in the earthquake affected areas.In 2023/24, we are providing the World Food Programme with over £30 million to deliver humanitarian assistance, including prepositioning essential winter food supplies in hard-to-reach areas.

Cyprus: British Nationals Abroad

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what support his Department provides to the British nationals resident in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Leo Docherty: In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority of Cyprus. The FCDO publishes travel advice which provides guidance on the most relevant issues for British nationals visiting or resident in Cyprus. This includes information about the north of Cyprus.

Cyprus: Land Mines

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the proposal made on 8 July 2022 by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on cooperation to de-mine that island.

Leo Docherty: In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. In line with UN Security Council calls, the UK continues to urge the leaders of both communities to agree a plan to achieve a mine-free Cyprus and overcome existing barriers to this work. We continue to believe that a just and lasting settlement is the best chance of resolving this issue and our commitment to support this through the UN-led process remains unwavering.

China: Muslims

Catherine West: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on the rights of the Muslim population of that country.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK Government closely monitors China's serious human rights violations in Xinjiang against Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities, and continues to lead international efforts to hold China to account and change its behaviour.In October 2023, the UK led a record joint statement on Xinjiang at the UN, demonstrating a significant number of countries are prepared to call China out for its human rights violations. We have also imposed sanctions, provided guidance to businesses, and taken action to tackle forced labour in supply chains.We consistently raise China's human rights violations with the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. The former Foreign Secretary did so during his visit to Beijing in August 2023. We will continue to raise these issues directly with China and in multilateral fora including the UN.

Belt and Road Initiative: China Investment Corporation

Catherine West: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of China Investment Corporation’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: China is an important source of trade, investment and support for many countries with infrastructure, including under its Belt and Road Initiative, helping fill the global infrastructure gap alongside other infrastructure initiatives. However, we recognise the potential risks that Chinese overseas investment can present, which is why we must be clear eyed. Through British Investment Partnerships, and our efforts through the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, we help build transparent economic partnerships, enabling high quality investment into other countries and helping to bridge investment and infrastructure gaps.

Papua New Guinea and Pacific Ocean Islands: Official Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to make official visits to (a) Papua New Guinea, (b) Solomon Islands and (c) Tuvalu.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: There are no immediate plans for an FCDO Minister to visit the countries listed. The former Foreign Secretary visited Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands in April, where he met with heads of government and made clear the UK's intention to develop partnerships with Pacific Island Countries that deliver on their priorities. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific attended the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in November, and our accredited High Commissioner visited Tuvalu in August. The UK is committed to sustained and long-term engagement with Pacific Island Countries through senior ministerial engagement and our High Commissions in the region.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Somalia

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many (a) FCO, (b) DFID and (c) FCDO staff have been deployed to Somalia in each financial year since 2010.

David Rutley: Data is not held prior to 2014. The number of DFID, FCO and FCDO UK Based staff deployed to Somalia since 2014 is as follows: 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 202120222023 xDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOxDFIDxFCOFCDOFCDOFCDOSomaliaFewer than 10Fewer than 10Fewer than 10Fewer than 10Fewer than 10Fewer than 10Fewer than 1010-19Fewer than 1020-29Fewer than 1010-19Fewer than 1010-1910-1910-1910-19

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Indo-Pacific Region

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many of his Department's staff are stationed on Diego Garcia as of 20 November 2023.

David Rutley: There are no FCDO staff permanently stationed on Diego Garcia. However, the FCDO work closely with the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration which has a permanent presence on island.

Guyana: Venezuela

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent representations he has received on the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if his Department will take steps to support Guyana in the border dispute with Venezuela.

David Rutley: The United Kingdom is not a party to proceedings in the International Court of Justice between Venezuela and Guyana over the demarcation of their border. The UK is clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration and we continue to support this decision. We urge the parties to resolve this issue peacefully.

New Zealand

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the previous Secretary of State met the High Commissioner of New Zealand in the last six months.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The previous Secretary of State has met the High Commissioner of New Zealand at a number of diplomatic events over the last six months, including around the Coronation. The FCDO Ministerial Team has regular contact with the High Commissioner on a range of topics. In October, I joined a panel with the High Commissioner to discuss collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.

Department for Business and Trade

Companies: Registration

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that nominee partners are not used to evade the provisions of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 relating to limited partnerships.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 makes comprehensive reforms to the law governing limited partnerships. This includes providing greater powers for Companies House to challenge, reject, share and remove suspicious information.Alongside these reforms, Companies House will make full use of data science at their new intelligence hub to identify patterns and crack down on those seeking to evade the requirements.

Companies: Registration

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to enforce the provisions of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 relating to limited partnerships.

Kevin Hollinrake: The reforms to limited partnerships in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 require new secondary legislation, guidance and system development before they can be implemented.The government remains committed to implementing, and enforcing, the reforms as soon as possible.

Business: Women

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to help support women in business.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government has set an ambition to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by half by 2030, equivalent to 600,000 new entrepreneurs. The Government is delivering on this ambition through a range of initiatives working with the private sector, including the Investing in Women Code, Investing in Women Hub, and the Angel Investment Taskforce. In 2022, a record 150,000 women-led companies were started, representing 20% of new incorporations.The Start Up Loans Company, part of the Government-owned British Business Bank, has provided over 100,000 loans to entrepreneurs since the programme started in 2012. Of these, 40% have been to women.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Imports

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish a list of domestic agencies that will be required to certify imports from CPTPP countries once the agreement has been ratified.

Greg Hands: Imports from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Members to the UK must comply with UK import requirements, including any relevant product regulations, and any relevant tariffs. This is true of all imports and includes products from the EU and other longstanding trading partners, which includes many of the existing Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Members.Food and feed imports from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership countries are already, and will remain subject, to the UK's official controls regime, including documentary, identification, and physical checks at the border. The UK assurance system for official controls in the agri-food chain is published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assuring-standards-in-uk-food-and-farming-after-eu-exit.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Pesticides

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2023 to Question 947 on Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Pesticides, when her Department plans to publish the report by the Trade and Agriculture Commission; and how much notice her Department plans to provide to hon. Members that the treaty will be laid.

Greg Hands: We are expecting to receive the Trade and Agriculture Commission’s report on 30 November. It will be published and laid in Parliament shortly thereafter.The treaty text was published and presented to Parliament on 17th July 2023. It can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accession-protocol-of-the-uk-to-the-cptppThe Government will work with relevant Select Committees to coordinate timelines as far in advance as possible to facilitate scrutiny work.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Exports

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish a list of exports that will have tariff free access to CPTPP countries once the UK ratifies the agreement.

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will publish a list of products that will receive additional tariff rate quotas once the CPTPP accession has been ratified.

Greg Hands: Tariff rate quotas for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership can be found at https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-in-force/cptpp/comprehensive-and-progressive-agreement-for-trans-pacific-partnership-text-and-resources/, as New Zealand acts as the depositary for all Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership documents.These documents should be read in conjunction with Annex A of the UK Accession Protocol, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accession-protocol-of-the-uk-to-the-cptpp.

Foreign Investment in UK and Overseas Trade: China

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which Chinese-origin firms have been subject to restrictions on trade and investment under the (a) Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954, (b) (i) Export Control Act 2002 and (ii) Export Control Order 2008, (c) Procurement Act 2023, (d) Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and (e) National Security and Investment Act 2021 in the last five years.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: (a) The Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954, together with licences made under it, do not make Chinese-origin firms the subject of any restrictions on trade and investment.(b) Export controls apply to anyone exporting controlled items from the UK, regardless of country of origin. The Government assesses all export licence applications against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. We will not licence the export of equipment where to do so would be inconsistent with these Criteria.(c) None. The Procurement Act is not due for commencement until Autumn 2024.(d) Huawei(e) Eight final orders (which imposed conditions on, or blocked or unwound deals) issued involved acquirers linked to China. All notices of final orders are available on gov.uk.

Hospitality Industry: Cost of Living

Ashley Dalton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department has taken to support the hospitality sector in the context of the rise in the cost of living.

Kevin Hollinrake: My Department meets regularly with the hospitality sector and understands the challenges businesses face. The Hospitality Sector Council is focusing on steps to build the sector’s resilience. In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a business rates support package worth £4.3 billion over the next five years to support small businesses and the high street. The small business multiplier will be frozen for a fourth consecutive year, and Retail,  Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief will be extended, ensuring the most vulnerable  businesses continue to be supported. The Chancellor also announced a freeze on alcohol duties until 1 August 2024 to give businesses time to adapt to the duty system introduced on 1 August 2023.

Department for Business and Trade: Written Questions

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she plans to respond to Written Question 1757 on Employment Agencies.

Kevin Hollinrake: A response was provided on 21 November 2023.

Royal Mail: Universal Service Obligation

Kate Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Ofcom and (b) Royal Mail on the potential implications for her Department's policies of Royal Mail's failure to meet the universal service obligation.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government’s objective continues to be ensuring the provision of a sustainable, accessible, and affordable universal postal service.It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action where there are reasonable grounds for Royal Mail failing to achieve its obligations.Following its investigation into quality of service performance for 2022-23, Ofcom imposed a £5.6 million fine on Royal Mail for contravening its service conditions. Ofcom has committed to closely monitoring Royal Mail’s performance and the steps it is taking to return delivery offices to pre-pandemic practices.

Fireworks

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she has taken to address the illegal sale of fireworks to underage people in England.

Kevin Hollinrake: It is for Local Authority Trading Standards to enforce against the illegal sale of fireworks in their local area and to determine what steps need to be taken to protect the public. It is an offence for a retailer to sell F1 fireworks (other than Christmas crackers) to anyone under the age of 16 or F2 or F3 fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. Retailers committing a sales offence could be subject to a fine or imprisonment.

Travel: Fees and Charges

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to regulate the use of additional charges (a) on travel booking sites and (b) by (i) airlines and (ii) travel companies.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government consulted on options for how additional fees and so-called drip pricing should be regulated.Following assessment of the consultation responses, the Government announced in the Autumn Statement that it will be introducing new measures to tackle drip pricing. Further details will be provided in the Government's formal response to the consultation.

Minerals: Supply Chains

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) human rights and (b) environmental protections are incorporated in the critical minerals supply chain strategy.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Last year my Department published the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy to accelerate domestic production, collaborate with international partners, and enhance international markets to strengthen supply chains.The Strategy commits to boost global environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance to support a more transparent, responsible, and sustainable critical minerals and mining industry. The UK is playing a leading role in international efforts to drive up ESG performance through its bilateral and multilateral engagements, including the Minerals Security Partnership. The UK is also a strong supporter and implementing country of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.Further, we will ensure UK domestic mining complies with permitting and planning regulations that protect the interests of communities and our natural environment.

Women and Equalities

Conversion Therapy

Peter Gibson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of existing legislation to tackle conversion practices affecting LGBT people.

Stuart Andrew: No one in this country should be harmed or harassed for who they are and attempts at so-called ‘conversion therapy’ are abhorrent. That is why we are carefully considering this very complex issue. We will be setting out further details on this in due course

Department for Work and Pensions

Cost of Living Payments: Disability

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the disability cost of living payment on levels of poverty among disabled people.

Tom Pursglove: To date, 6,400,000 Disability Cost of Living Payments have been processed by DWP.As of 26 June 2023, over 99% of DWP claimants already eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment have had their payments processed. Management Information on the Cost of Living Payments is available here: Cost of Living Payment 2023 to 2024 management information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). An evaluation of the Cost of Living Payments is underway. This will seek to understand their effectiveness as a means of support for low-income and vulnerable households, including those with a disability. This Government is committed to reducing poverty, including poverty among disabled people, and supporting low-income families, and has overseen significant falls in absolute poverty since 2009/10. The proportion of people in families where someone is disabled who are in absolute poverty after housing costs has decreased by 1 percentage point since 2019/20, and by 3 percentage points since 2009/10. The number of people in such families has increased slightly due to an increase in the number of people in families where someone is disabled. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and is taking action to help. The total support over 2022-2025 to help households with the high cost of living is £104 billion. This includes up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments for households on eligible means-tested benefits. The most recent payment of £300 was made between 31 October 2023 and 19 November 2023 for most people who are eligible, which follows on from the £301 payment issued in April 2023 to 8.3 million households. A further payment of £299 will be made by spring 2024 for those entitled. In addition, more than eight million pensioner households across the UK will receive an additional £300 Cost of Living Payment during winter 2023-24 paid as a top up to the Winter Fuel Payment and 6.4 million individuals on eligible ‘extra-costs’ disability benefits have also received a further £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment. Since October 2021, the Government have provided total funding of over £2 billion via the Household Support Fund to local authorities in England to enable them to continue to provide discretionary support to those most in need with the cost of essentials. The current scheme worth £842m runs until March 2024 and the devolved administrations receive consequential funding as usual to spend at their discretion. Local authorities are expected to support households in the most need, and in particular those who may not be eligible for the other support the Government recently made available, but are nevertheless in need of support. In the scheme guidance, local authorities have been strongly encouraged to explore ways in which they might use the funding to support disabled people in their area.On 1 April 2024, the Government will increase the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 years and over by 9.8% to £11.44, representing an increase of over £1,800 to the gross annual earnings of a full-time worker on the NLW. Subject to parliamentary approval, working-age benefits will rise by 6.7% from April 2024, in line with inflation, including Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. The Basic and New State Pensions will be uprated by 8.5% in line with earnings, as part of the ‘triple lock”.

Employment Schemes: Disability

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the overall annual cost of the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme is.

Tom Pursglove: Contracted Employment is provided from 2017/18 to 2022/23:  2017/18 Actual2018/19 Actual2019/20 Actual2020/21 Actual2021/22 Actual2022/23 ActualGRAND TOTALTotal£200,000£1,000,000£3,919,670£5,722,876£9,226,277£9,702,598£29,771,421  The total includes estimated non-recurrent set up costs of approximately £3m.

Access to Work Programme

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average length of time was for Access to Work applications to be processed in each month since May 2022.

Tom Pursglove: MonthInitial date of contact to decision Actual Average Clearance Time in daysMay-2249.1Jun-2256.0Jul-2259.7Aug-2258.6Sep-2261.1Oct-2263.1Nov-2261.8Dec-2262.3Jan-2360.7Feb-2358.2Mar-2362.7Apr-2356.2May-2350.1Jun-2341.4Jul-2347.2Aug-2346.9Sep-2345.2Oct-2345.0Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Jobcentres: Staff

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the reasons for which some benefits claimants refuse to engage with their local Jobcentres.

Jo Churchill: No recent assessment has been made of the reasons for which some benefits claimants refuse to engage with their local Jobcentres as this information is not collated centrally.

Access to Work Programme

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications to the Access to Work scheme were rejected in each month since May 2022.

Tom Pursglove: MonthApplications not awarded AtWMay-222002Jun-222480Jul-222577Aug-222792Sep-222873Oct-223277Nov-223524Dec-222812Jan-233354Feb-232943Mar-233807Apr-232497May-233029Jun-233718Jul-233706Aug-233698Sep-233392Oct-233566 Applications not awarded include advice provided to the applicant, no contact with applicant, no evidence provided by the applicant, applicant not eligible, applicant not pursued application and closed other (those that do not fall in to the other categories).  Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Access to Work Programme

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the most common reason was for rejecting an application to the Access to Work scheme in each month since May 2022.

Tom Pursglove: MonthReason for rejectionMay-22Application not pursuedJun-22Application not pursuedJul-22Closed OtherAug-22Closed OtherSep-22Closed OtherOct-22Closed OtherNov-22Closed OtherDec-22No ContactJan-23No ContactFeb-23Application not pursuedMar-23No ContactApr-23No ContactMay-23Closed OtherJun-23Closed OtherJul-23Closed OtherAug-23Closed OtherSep-23Closed OtherOct-23Closed Other Reasons for the application being rejected/not awarded include:Advice provided to the applicant.No contact with applicant.No evidence provided by the applicant.Applicant not eligible.Applicant not pursued application.Closed other (those that do not fall in to the other categories).  Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Access to Work Programme

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the longest length of time has been for an Access to Work application to be processed in each month since May 2022.

Tom Pursglove: The case that has taken the longest to have a decision was made on 13/12/2021 with a decision being made on 11/05/2023. This took 354 working days for a decision being made. Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Social Security Benefits: Reform

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the New Economics Foundation report entitled, From compliance to engagement: Rethinking the use of conditionality in our social security system, published on 23 August 2023.

Jo Churchill: No assessment has been made.  To keep the sanctions system clear, fair, and effective in promoting positive behaviours, we keep the conditionality and sanctions policies and processes under continuous review.

Access to Work Programme

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2023 to Question 1370 on Access to Work Programme and with reference to the Answer of 30 November 2022 to Question 96603 on Access to Work Programme, for what reason the requested information is no longer readily available.

Tom Pursglove: The information is not readily available and the time required to conduct manual interrogation of records can vary dependant on the volume of cases that need to be trawled. We have seen a significant increase in applications for Access to Work from November 2022 to November 2023 and that is why the information could be provided at November 2022, but is not readily available at November 2023.

Universal Credit: Appeals

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of (a) mandatory reconsiderations of and (b) appeals made by people claiming Universal Credit.

Tom Pursglove: The department’s aim is to make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey. We have made improvements to the decision-making process at both the first decision and the Mandatory Reconsideration stage, giving Decision Makers additional time to proactively contact claimants if they think additional evidence may support the claim, reducing the need to progress to appeal. In addition, the department is working to improve feedback loops so that it can continue to learn from tribunals, with a view to improving decision-making across all stages of the claim journey.

Universal Credit: Armed Forces

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on the number of serving armed forces personnel claiming Universal Credit.

Jo Churchill: No such assessment has been made.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to disapply benefits sanctions to people who have an underlying mental health condition.

Jo Churchill: Claimants must meet certain requirements to receive their Universal Credit payment. These will be based on individual and household information and will take account of health, caring responsibilities, ongoing work or volunteering and any earnings. All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant and tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable. Those who are in the No Work Related Requirements Group, for example people with a severe mental health condition or disability are not subject to conditionality requirements and therefore not subject to sanctions.

Prescriptions: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Back to Work plan, published on 16 November 2023, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on whether measures to restrict the eligibility to free prescriptions of benefit claimants who are subject to sanctions will apply to claimantsinWales.

Jo Churchill: We are not restricting eligibility to free prescriptions of benefit claimants who are subject to sanctions. Claimants may still be entitled to access those passported benefits through other means. At Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that we will be closing claims for people who refuse to engage in employment support following a sanction decision and in receipt of a nil award for a period of 6 months or longer. As always, if entitlement to passported benefits is reliant solely on a Universal Credit claim to establish eligibility, that will cease if the claim is closed. DWP has a well-established relationship with the Welsh Government, ensuring that we work together on devolved and reserved areas effectively. Universal Credit is reserved, and as such once the proposal is in legislation it will apply in England, Scotland and Wales.

Personal Independence Payment: Parkinson's Disease

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 10 of Parkinson's UK's publication entitled Nowhere near enough, published in April 2023, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the finding on the proportion of PIP claims made by people with Parkinson's that were initially assessed incorrectly compared with the general PIP claimant population.

Tom Pursglove: We are working hard to make the right decision, first time, every time. We continue to review our processes and decision-making and work closely with the assessment providers who carry out the assessments and provide feedback to ensure that they provide decision-makers with the highest quality reports. Condition Insight Reports are also available to PIP assessors to gain a better understanding of a condition and its impact, including Parkinson’s disease. This insight report highlights the importance of exploration of the fluctuation of the condition and was completed in collaboration with relevant charities. The Mandatory Reconsideration process is a key element of the department’s decision-making process for all benefits and offers claimants an early opportunity to challenge decisions and get them changed quickly. It offers the department an equally timely remedy for correcting decisions and means that fewer decisions progress to appeal, which is stressful and time consuming for claimants and costly for government. It is worth highlighting that in many cases, decisions can be changed as a result of new evidence or information being made available. We published Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper on 15 March 2023. Changes set out in the White Paper include those aiming to improve our assessment of fluctuating conditions, such as the way we use medical evidence, and developing the capability of our assessors. We will also explore options for introducing a new way of gathering evidence of fluctuation in a person’s condition before their assessment. The department continues to closely monitor all aspects of the assessment process, including how we assess fluctuating conditions.

Universal Credit: Armed Forces and Veterans

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average annual amount of Universal Credit paid to (a) serving members of the Armed Forces and (b) veterans was in each year since 2018.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households with at least one member serving in the armed forces are claiming Universal Credit.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit claimants were (a) serving armed forces personnel and (b) veterans in each year since 2018.

Jo Churchill: The information requested is not available. We do not know the total number of currently serving armed forces personnel who are claiming UC. We have been collecting information, on those that have identified themselves as serving or have served, since April 2021, but we do not yet have enough responses to accurately estimate the total number.

Universal Credit: War Widow(er)s

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of a War Widows pension are claiming Universal Credit.

Jo Churchill: The requested information is not held. War Widows Pension is administered by the Ministry of Defence and the department does not have access to this data.

Universal Credit

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which categories of claimants had their contact with work coaches reduced in the last 12 months.

Jo Churchill: A policy change in August 2023 reduced the level of contact Jobcentre work coaches have with Universal Credit (UC) Intensive Work Search (IWS) claimants participating in contracted employment provision, including the Restart Scheme, from fortnightly to monthly. This was to reduce duplication of effort. The Government announced an investment over 5 years of £3.5bn at Spring Budget to boost workforce participation and £2.5 billion at Autumn Statement as part its Back to Work plan to significantly expand available support and transform the way people interact with the benefits system.

Universal Credit

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many on average Universal Credit claimants' cases are overseen by each Universal Credit Case Manager as of November 2023.

Jo Churchill: We are unable to accurately answer this question. This is because the information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. To calculate an average over time would require development of new code, which we don’t currently have.

Sarcoidosis

Keir Mather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of including sarcoidosis in the list of prescribed industrial injuries for ex coal miners.

Tom Pursglove: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) provides non-contributory, “no-fault” benefit for disablement because of an accident at work or one of over 70 ‘prescribed’ diseases known to be a risk from certain jobs. The department is advised by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), an independent scientific body, on changes to the list of occupational diseases for which IIDB can be paid. A disease can only be recommended for prescription by IIAC if:a) the risk to workers in a certain occupation is substantially greater than the risk to the general population, andb) the link between the disease and the occupation can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.The question of whether sarcoidosis should be added to the list of prescribed diseases for which IIDB can be paid will be referred to IIAC. If recommendations are made by IIAC on this matter, they will be carefully considered by the department.

Social Security Benefits: Judgements

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases relating to (a) Universal Credit, (b) Employment and Support Allowance and (c) Personal Independence Payments were taken to the (i) High Court, (ii) Court of Appeal and (ii) Supreme Court since 2017; and in how many of those cases was the judgment in favour of his Department.

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on legal cases relating to (a) Universal Credit, (b) Employment and Support Allowance, and (c) Personal Independence Payment financial support since 2017.

Tom Pursglove: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold the information in a readily accessible format and it could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Household Support Fund

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of 22 November 2023 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Official Report, column 348, what the value of the Household Support Fund will be in 2024-25.

Mims Davies: The Government has provided over £2 billion in funding for the Household Support Fund since October 2021. The current Household Support Fund runs from April 2023 until the end of March 2024. No further decisions have been taken on the Household Support Fund, and the government continues to keep all its existing programmes under review in the usual way.

Cost of Living Payments: Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Housing Benefit

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to amend the eligibility criteria for Cost of Living Payments so that people on (a) Housing Benefit and (b) Council Tax Reduction qualify.

Mims Davies: There are currently no plans to amend eligibility criteria for Cost of Living Payments. Housing Benefit is not an income-replacement benefit; it is intended to cover only housing costs. Therefore, Housing Benefit is not a qualifying means-tested benefit for the Cost of Living Payment. Those with the lowest incomes may also be in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit alongside Housing Benefit to cover their other living costs, which could make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment. Eligibility for Council Tax Reduction is determined by local councils and is not a national policy. The eligibility for this support is dependent on a number of factors including where you live and your household income. Low-income households may also be in receipt of a qualifying, income-related means-tested benefit alongside Council Tax Reduction, which could make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment. Independent, free and anonymous benefit calculators are available here and can help individuals to see which benefits they may be entitled to. For those who require additional support the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable a further extension to the Household Support Fund in England. In England, this will run from 1 April to 31 March 2024, backed by £842m.

Cost of Living Payments

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to extend Cost of Living Payments beyond the Spring.

Mims Davies: There are currently no plans to extend the Cost of Living Payments beyond the Spring. Cost of Living payments enabled us to target further support during the rising cost of living pressures. Delivering lump sum payments got support faster to those who needed it, reflecting our commitment to providing direct and timely relief to those who need it most. The rate of inflation has slowed, and we have been able to implement uprating to other benefits in the meantime to reflect increased costs. This includes increasing benefits and the state pension by 10.1% in April 2023 in line with inflation. The Secretary of State has completed his annual statutory review of pensions and benefits and his decisions were announced to Parliament on 22 November. From April 2024, Universal Credit amounts will be up-rated by 6.7%.

Local Housing Allowance and Rents: St Albans

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a comparative assessment of (a) the Local Housing Allowance and (b) average rental costs for four bedroom properties in St Albans District Council area.

Mims Davies: The LHA rates are set based on the Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA) each household lives in. The current LHA rates (2023/24) for each BRMA and bedroom type can be found here. The Secretary of State reviewed Local Housing Allowance rates for 2024/25 and announced in his written ministerial statement on 22nd November that, across GB, LHA rates should be increased to the 30th percentile based on rents from September 2023. The Department does not collect data on rental costs for accommodation in each BRMA, the Valuation Office Agency collects data on rental costs in England to produce the 30th percentile of market rents and publishes the list of rents utilised to calculate the LHA rates. The latest list of rents for the period 1st October 2021 to 30th September 2022 is published here.

Employment: Chronic Illnesses and Disability

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 20 November 2023 on Health and Disability White Paper Tests and Trials, HCWS44, how individuals will be selected for the severe disability group pilot; and if he will make an estimate of the number of individuals who will take part in the pilot in each of the next 12 months.

Tom Pursglove: Following a small-scale test last year, we are exploring with health partners how to identify people who are eligible for the Severe Disability Group. We have worked with an expert group of specialist health professionals to draw up a set of draft criteria that identifies claimants who have conditions which are severely disabling, lifelong and with no realistic prospect of recovery. These criteria were shared with several charities and their feedback was used to further develop our draft criteria. No estimates have yet been made regarding the numbers expected to take part in the test.

Disability: Employment Schemes

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the written ministerial statement by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work of 20 November 2023, HCWS44, how many people have received support from the Enhanced Support Service.

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the written ministerial statement by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work of 20 November 2023, HCWS44, how many people who have received support from the Enhanced Support Service are in employment as of 20 November 2023.

Tom Pursglove: Evaluation of the Enhanced Support Service is currently in progress to analyse the number of customers supported and to determine its impact and next steps.The Enhanced Support Service (ESS) has not been designed specifically to help people in to work, instead it provides personalised support for people who find the benefits system difficult to navigate, such as those who do not have friends or family to support them. ESS helps these individuals to access the right support, at the right time, and lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Employment Schemes: Epilepsy

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure there is specific employment support for people with epilepsy.

Tom Pursglove: The Government delivers an extensive programme of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including epilepsy, to start, stay, and succeed in work. This programme was expanded upon by the Government's new Back to Work Plan, announced as part of the Autumn Statement. Measures include: Universal Support, the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; the Disability Confident scheme; an online service called ‘Support with employee health and disability’; increased Work Coach support and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres; reforming Occupational Health provision; and further initiatives also work to join up employment and health systems, which includes expanding Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.

Early Retirement: Long Covid

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evidence his Department requests in order to assess applications for ill health retirement due to long covid.

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many officials in his Department in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) the UK have been awarded (i) upper and (ii) lower tier level ill-health retirement when applying as a result of long covid in each of the last three years.

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many officials in his Department in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) the UK have applied for ill-health retirement as a result of long covid in each of the last three years.

Paul Maynard: DWP does not request nor obtain evidence to assess applications for ill health retirement due to long covid. The Department does monitor levels and trends in short- and long-term sickness absence across all types of sickness absence recorded on DWP’s own HR data system, including short- and long-term sickness absence generally that may be attributed to Covid, but we do not receive any personal data that will help assess IHR applications.

Work Capability Assessment: Parkinson's Disease

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Work Capability Assessment: activities and descriptors, published on 5 September 2023, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the consultation on the (a) financial and (b) mental wellbeing of people with Parkinson's disease.

Tom Pursglove: We have published our response to the consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment criteria, having carefully considered feedback from disabled people and people with health conditions, as well as the organisations that represent and support them. From 2025, we will make changes to the WCA that continue to protect those with the most severe conditions, while ensuring those that can work are supported in doing so. Most existing claimants that have already been assessed without work-related requirements, will be able to benefit from our Chance to Work Guarantee. This change will in effect abolish the WCA for the vast majority of this group, and they will be able to move towards work without fear of reassessment. As part of the Autumn Statement, the Government has also announced an expansion in tailored support for disabled people and people with health conditions, including Universal Support and NHS Talking Therapies. The OBR have said that they expect these changes to mean that 371,000 fewer people will be declared as having Limited Capability for Work Related Activity by 2028/29 than otherwise would be the case. HMT have published the impacts in their policy costing note that accompanies the Autumn Statement. Estimates are not based on specific conditions because the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.

Work Capability Assessment: Mobility

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessment criteria related to mobility on people with (a) Parkinson’s and (b) other conditions which significantly affect movement.

Tom Pursglove: We have published our response to the consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment criteria having carefully considered feedback from disabled people and people with health conditions, as well as the organisations that represent and support them. From 2025, we will make changes to the WCA that continue to protect those with the most severe conditions, while ensuring those that can work are supported in doing so. Most existing claimants that have already been assessed without work-related requirements, will be able to benefit from our Chance to Work Guarantee. This change will in effect abolish the WCA for the vast majority of this group, and they will be able to move towards work without fear of reassessment. As part of the Autumn Statement, the Government has also announced an expansion in tailored support for disabled people and people with health conditions, including Universal Support and NHS Talking Therapies. The OBR have said that they expect these changes to mean that 371,000 fewer people will be declared as having Limited Capability for Work Related Activity by 2028/29 than otherwise would be the case. HMT have published the impacts in their policy costing note that accompanies the Autumn Statement. Estimates are not based on specific conditions because the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.

Attendance Allowance: Appeals

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the (a) number of Attendance Allowance claimants who were contacted by decision-makers to give an explanation for their decision between 1 April and 30 September 2023 after the claimant had already requested a mandatory reconsideration and (b) proportion of those calls which resulted in the original mandatory reconsideration request not being actioned.

Paul Maynard: This information is only available at disproportionate cost to The Department for Work & Pensions. The Department does not have a business requirement to maintain this level of data as part of its routine management information pack.

Cost of Living Payments: Pensioners

Tahir Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to take steps to help low income pensioners with the cost of living.

Paul Maynard: The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why we are providing total support of over £94bn over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with their rising bills. Over 8 million pensioner households will receive a £300 pensioner Cost of Living Payment as a top up to their winter fuel payment increasing payments to £500 for those aged 66-79 and £600 for those aged 80 and over. In addition, households in receipt of Pension Credit will be entitled to get up to £900 in means-tested Cost of Living Payments across the 2023/24 financial year. We continue to maximise opportunities to raise awareness of Pension Credit, including highlighting that there is still time to apply for Pension Credit by the 10 December and be eligible for £300 cost of living payment thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules. The Government has also just announced that from April 2024, the basic and new State Pensions as well as the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will be increased by 8.5%.

Pension Credit: Applications

Anne McLaughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the application process for Pension Credit; and if he will take steps to help increase the accuracy of decisions made on Pensions Credit applications.

Paul Maynard: The Department regularly looks at the effectiveness of its Pension Credit claims processes. A Quality Framework is used to assess the accuracy of Pension Credit decisions and this informs operational learning and continuous improvement. Pension Credit is being modernised and user research is integral to our design for modernising the Pension Credit application processes to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of Pension Credit application processes.

Public Bodies: Disclosure of Information

Dame Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues to public bodies on non-disclosure agreements requested by commercial enterprises as a condition of (a) access and (b) investigation for (i) health and safety at work and other (ii) issues; and what oversight there is of such agreements.

Paul Maynard: We have not been able to trace any such guidance being issued by the Department for Work & Pensions and no oversight is provided in relation to such agreements.

Pensioners: Low Incomes

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Trial encourages low-income pensioners to apply for extra financial support, published on 17 July 2023, what the priority objectives are of the invitation to claim trial.

Paul Maynard: In addition to our ongoing Pension Credit communications campaign, in July we launched a more targeted ‘Invitation to Claim’ trial. Approximately 2,500 pensioner households across ten local authority areas in Great Britain were sent letters encouraging them to contact DWP and make a claim. The areas were chosen to be representative of urban, rural and coastal communities and target households were identified as most likely to be missing out because they were claiming Housing Benefit but not Pension Credit. The objectives of the trial are to learn whether using data in this way can help accurately identify eligible households; and whether directly contacting households in this way is an effective way of boosting Pension Credit applications.

Cabinet Office

Veterans: Housing

Martin Docherty-Hughes: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date he or his ministerial team last held discussions with Scottish Government ministers on the Veterans Capital Housing Fund.

Johnny Mercer: The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) has been discussing the design of the Capital Housing Fund with Scottish Government officials since May 2023. The Fund is now open for applications from across the United Kingdom.

Cabinet Office: Civil Servants

John Redwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) Directors and (b) Director Generals there are in his Department as of 20 November 2023.

John Glen: As at 31 October 2023, the Cabinet Office employs 74 people at Director level and 21 people at Director General level. The number of Senior Civil Servants (SCS) stems from our coordinating role at the heart of Government. First, the professional experts who lead functional services across the whole of the Civil Service sit in Cabinet Office (the level of professional expertise required, often recruited from the private sector, means a high number of SCS roles). Second, the Cabinet Office also delivers secretariat functions which need to be led at a senior level given their national significance, including the National Security Secretariat and Joint Intelligence Organisation.

Cabinet Office: Civil Servants

John Redwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants are employed at each grade above SCS1.

John Glen: The number of Senior Civil Servants by Director, Director General and Permanent Secretary paybands are shown in the table below. This information is published each year by payband through the Government evidence to the Senior Salaries Review Board. Table 1: Number of Senior Civil Servants by Director, Director General and Permanent Secretary paybands, as at 1 April 2023 PaybandNumberDirector (Payband 2)1140Director General (Payband 3)180Permanent Secretary45Source: SCS Database, Cabinet OfficeNotes: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.Numbers are provisional and subject to revision over time.Numbers refer to the centrally managed 'Senior Civil Service' that does not include the Diplomatic Service and a number of civil servants that work at a senior level, for example some senior military officials and health professionals, and who are not part of the 'Senior Civil Service'.

Infected Blood Inquiry

Wendy Chamberlain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what funding is being made available to provide compensation for those affected by the Infected Blood Inquiry; and when this funding will be made available.

John Glen: I thank the honourable Member for her question. I would like to reassure her that I am meeting with colleagues across Whitehall, including Treasury Ministers, to discuss the Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations, and the Government’s response, and will update the House as soon as I can.

Home Office

Jews: Safety

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safety of Jewish communities.

Tom Tugendhat: In March 2023, the Home Secretary announced the continuation of the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant (JCPSG) and increased funding for 2023/24 by £1 million, to a total of £15 million. The JCPSG provides protective security measures (such as guarding, CCTV and alarm systems) at Jewish schools and other Jewish community sites. The Grant is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the Community Security Trust (CST).In response to the conflict and reports of increased incidents of antisemitism in the UK, the Prime Minister has announced additional funding of £3 million for CST to provide additional security at Jewish schools, synagogues and other Jewish Community sites. This brings the total funding for CST in FY2023/24 to £18 million.Earlier this year, the Home Secretary established the Jewish Community Crime, Policing and Security Taskforce. The Taskforce allows the Jewish community, represented by the Community Security Trust, to raise concerns to the Home Office, law enforcement and partners, and work together to understand and address the concerns of the Jewish community on safety and security issues.The government is also investing up to a further £7 million over the next three years for organisations like the Holocaust Educational Trust to help tackle antisemitism. This funding will ensure support is in place for schools and universities to understand, recognise, and deal with antisemitism effectively.

Slavery: Victims

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been identified under the national referral mechanism in the last 12 months.

Chris Philp: The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics regarding the (NRM). The statistics for the last 12 months can be found here; National Referral Mechanism statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).The data shows the number of potential victims that have been identified by the National Referral Mechanism.Further disaggregated data is published via the UK Data Service.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what his planned timetable is for (a) completing the hiring process for members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and (b) announcing newly appointed members.

Chris Philp: The process to recruit members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.Governance Code for Public Appointments - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Based on current timescales, we expect the process will be concluded in the New Year, and subsequently the names of the new ACMD members will be announced on Gov.UK.

Electronic Surveillance

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Project Pegasus on the right to (a) privacy and (b) data protection.

Chris Philp: Pegasus is a unique private-public partnership that will radically improve the way retailers are able to share intelligence with policing, to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders. This will include development of a new information sharing platform and training for retailers.Pegasus is spearheaded by Katy Bourne, the Business Crime lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and is backed by the Home Office, 14 retailers and the National Business Crime Solution.Pegasus will be funding the creation of a dedicated team of specialist analysts and intelligence officers to work within OPAL, the national policing team that oversees intelligence on serious organised acquisitive crime.OPAL is responsible for the management of data and intelligence, as well as information sharing agreements set up with members of Pegasus.

Passports: Databases

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has taken to provide access to the passport photo database to police forces.

Chris Philp: The sharing of passport data with law enforcement agencies for the purpose of preventing and detecting crime is longstanding, and is provided for within His Majesty’s Passport Office’s Privacy Information Notice:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmpo-privacy-information-notice#full-publication-update-history

Prisoners' Release: Reoffenders

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people released under investigation in each year since 2017 went on to commit another offence.

Chris Philp: The Home Office has collected and published information on the number of people released under investigation since April 2020. The most recent data, up to March 2022, is available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1116971/released-under-investigation-data-tables-police-powers-and-procedures-year-ending-march-2022.odsThe Home Office does not centrally collect data on how many people released under investigation went on to commit another offence.

Police: Kent

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers were serving in (a) the Folkestone and Hythe district and (b) Kent Police, in each year since 2010.

Chris Philp: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales, broken down by Police Force Area (PFA), on a bi-annual basis in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.These data are collected by PFA level only, and information at lower levels of geography, such as districts are not collected. Data on the number of police officers in Kent as at 31 March each year, from 2007 to 2023, on a full-time equivalent and headcount basis, can be found in the ‘Police Workforce Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1172892/open-data-table-police-workforce-260723.ods.

British Nationality: Assessments

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people sitting the UK citizenship test failed in each year since 2019.

Robert Jenrick: The information on the number of tests taken in each quarter in relation to citizenship and settlement applications can be found within the Visas and citizenship data on gov.uk here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-dataThe latest transparency data was published on 23 November 2023.

Telecommunications: Fraud

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the fraud sector charter on telecommunications.

Tom Tugendhat: The Government and industry signed the Telecommunications Fraud Sector Charter, a voluntary agreement to improve counter-fraud efforts, in October 2021.Under the Charter, the sector has introduced firewalls that detect and stop scam texts from reaching customers. The firewalls have proved successful, and have stopped 700 million scam text messages since January 2022. The firewalls also monitor and stop “FluBot malware” used by criminals to infect and take over a victim’s phone to steal credit or debit card details.We are keen to build on the success of the first Charter and start work on a renewed version in the coming months to push criminals out of using telecommunications to contact victims.

British Nationality: Ilois

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people of Chagossian descent have been granted British nationality since November 2022.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people of Chagossian descent have been refused British nationality in each of the last five years.

Robert Jenrick: We are unable to provide this data as we do not record data relating to an individual’s ancestor.

Visas: Overseas Students

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken to process (a) student visa and (b) student sponsor license applications.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has continually remained within published service standard for straightforward applications within the Student route. We work closely with the education sector and through public communications campaigns to encourage students to apply as early as possible and to check they have submitted the right documents, to reduce delays. Customers applying to the Student route from overseas can apply up to six months ahead of the course start date, once their education sponsor has provided the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). We continue to review internal processes to identify opportunities to improve the customer journey.Student Sponsor license applications have an eight-week service standard which includes a pre-licence visit. To reduce processing times, the pre-licence visits are now undertaken by dedicated Study Compliance officers. Applications may take longer to decide where further information is required from the prospective sponsor following the visit, to confirm the licence requirements are met.

Visas: Overseas Students

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether UK Visas and Immigration is meeting its service standard for processing student visa applications as of November 2023.

Robert Jenrick: We have remained continually within service standard for straightforward standard, priority, and super priority Student visa applications. Where applications are complex and we require further information or checks, we may take to take longer to reach a decision. This is to ensure the applicant meets the requirements of the immigration rules and prevent abuse of our immigration system.

Visas: Overseas Students

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of student visa applications have not been renewed since 1 June 2023.

Robert Jenrick: Information on how many people extend their permission within the Student or Graduate route can be found at: Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Where eligible, students may also apply to switch into an alternative appropriate category. We do not routinely publish data on how many students switch into other immigration categories.

People Smuggling

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were (a) arrested on suspicion and (b) convicted of people smuggling in UK waters since the start of January 2023.

Robert Jenrick: The data requested cannot be provided as it comes from live operational databases that have not been quality assured.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Horticulture: Peat

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Leader of the House on parliamentary time for legislation prohibiting the sale of peat in the horticultural retail trade.

Rebecca Pow: It remains our policy that we intend to legislate to restrict, and ultimately ban, the sale of peat and peat containing products when parliamentary time allows.

Motor Vehicles: Mid Bedfordshire

Alistair Strathern: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help prevent off-road vehicles used for recreational purposes causing damage to (a) farmland and (b) the wider countryside in Mid Bedfordshire constituency.

Rebecca Pow: In our response to the Landscapes Review we launched a public consultation on the future of green lanes, using it as an opportunity to listen to the views of all those affected. We recognise that these unsealed routes often provide essential vehicular access for local residents and businesses without causing damage or disturbance. We have convened a multi-user stakeholder working group to consider further the vulnerability to damage of all green lanes. It is the responsibility of local authorities to issue Traffic Regulations Orders to protect sensitive areas where necessary.

Gardens: Plastics

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of artificial grass on (a) natural habitats and (b) the wider environment.

Rebecca Pow: The Government has not made a formal ecological assessment of the impact of the use of plastic grass in residential or commercial settings, however we continue to use available research to understand the impacts on biodiversity. We recognise that, in itself, artificial grass has no value for wildlife. Its installation can have negative impacts on soil health, biodiversity and drainage for flood prevention or alleviation if installed in place of natural earth or more positive measures such as planting flowers or trees or providing natural water features. Our 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. Given the scale of the plastics problem, we need to take a targeted and evidence-led approach to tackling the issues of plastic waste. We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and materials to take a systematic approach to reducing the use of unnecessary plastic products. Improving biodiversity is a key objective for the Government. We prefer to help people and companies make the right choice, rather than banning or taxing items outright. For example, the Environment Act 2021 introduced a number of policies that will support the restoration of habitat. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities will work together to drive action, including to create or restore habitats that enable wildlife to recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will help secure habitat for the long term.

Water: Standards

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to improve the (a) water quality and (b) biodiversity of (i) lakes, (ii) rivers and (iii) waterways (A) nationally and (B) in Romford constituency.

Rebecca Pow: In April, we published our landmark Plan for Water, to deliver clean and plentiful water for people, businesses and nature. The Plan for Water set out a suite of policy actions to tackle every source of pollution and increase our resilience to drought. This is essential to provide habitats for biodiversity to thrive. The Plan is underpinned by three things:Increased investment for improvements, including £2.2 billion from water companies to spend on new and better infrastructure in the next two years, more funding for catchment-scale groups, and almost tripling slurry grant funding for farmers to £34 million (up from £13 million).Stronger regulation, which includes more EA inspections of wastewater treatment works, banning plastic wet wipes (subject to consultation), and new restrictions of ‘forever’ chemicals that damage our waters.Tougher enforcement including bigger penalties for water companies and tighter control over water company dividend payments. (A) In Romford constituency As a member of the Roding, Beam and Ingrebourne (RBI) Catchment Partnership, the Environment Agency is working with local partners to improve the water quality and biodiversity of waterbodies within Romford. Examples of current projects within Romford are: Yellowfish and Junior River Wardens Project - The Environment Agency is working with Groundwork East to deliver a combined Yellowfish and Junior River Wardens project working with schools along the River Ingrebourne and River Rom. This unique new approach will help embed and sustain local learning, education and messaging around surface water and river health. Junior River Wardens helps participants experience the valuable role they can have monitoring water quality. Yellow Fish is shown to increase public awareness of issues affecting local rivers and the wider environment and how everyone can play a part. Mink Eradication - The RBI Catchment Partnership is working collaboratively to deliver a catchment wide approach to Mink Eradication, building on the Mink Eradication project Essex Wildlife Trust have been running across Essex. Mink are a problematic invasive species in this location who pose a threat to water voles and other native species. Thames Chase Trust have applied for funding from the Environment Agency next financial year to further build on this catchment wide approach and deliver a project to trap Mink on the River Rom. Additionally, as a statutory consultee in the planning process, the Environment Agency comments on development proposals that could potentially impact main rivers in Romford. They make sure that where possible developments comply with the Water Framework Directive as embedded within the river basin management plan. This ensures that they secure benefits for biodiversity and river geomorphology.

Deer: Conservation

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the deer management strategy.

Rebecca Pow: Native wild deer are an important component of our landscape but if left unchecked, they can cause serious problems to agricultural crops, tree planting schemes, conservation and biodiversity. In the England Trees Action Plan and Environmental Improvement Plan, we committed to addressing these pressures through developing a National Deer Management Strategy. This strategy will be published in due course.

Natural England: Disclosure of Information

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 25 October 2023 to Question 203372 on Natural England, for what reason Natural England have not published the declaration of interests made at and (b) minutes of the board meeting of 28 June 2023.

Rebecca Pow: Natural England will publish a record of the meeting which will include details of how to request a transcript on GOV.UK in due course.

Natural England: Disclosure of Information

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 25 October 2023 to Question 203372 on Natural England, if Natural England will publish the register of board members’ interests as a separate document on gov.uk.

Rebecca Pow: Natural England will publish the Board register of interests on GOV.UK in due course.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Electric Vehicles: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Northern Ireland's electricity supply capacity to help meet an increased demand for electric vehicles.

Andrew Bowie: The matter is devolved to the administration in Northern Ireland.

Climate Change Convention

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria she plans to use to assess the adequacy of the outcomes agreed at COP28.

Graham Stuart: COP28 will be judged by whether it leads to a step change in ambition and action to keep the 1.5 ° in reach. We will set out more detail on these priorities in a Written Ministerial Statement before COP28.

Nuclear Power

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to roll out new nuclear projects.

Andrew Bowie: HMG is backing new Nuclear with £1.2bn committed to support Sizewell C, completed the SMR competition initial down-selection, thanks to the newly established Great British Nuclear, and investing up to £75m in our Nuclear Fuel fund, in addition to the £385m already provided through our Advanced Nuclear Fund.

Energy: Prices

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support vulnerable people of working age with their energy costs in winter 2023-24.

Amanda Solloway: We are aware of the challenges that vulnerable consumers are facing this winter. This is why further to additional cost of living support of up to £900, we are delivering targeted energy support through the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel and Cold Weather payments.

Wind Power

Anna Firth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress her Department has made on reaching 50GW capacity of offshore wind by 2030.

Claire Coutinho: The UK is a global leader in offshore wind and attracts investment from all over the globe. Our ambition of 50GW by 2030 is world leading as we have a strong pipeline of projects and the world’s five largest operational offshore windfarms. We are stimulating investment and creating new jobs and making £960 million available for a Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support green manufacturing alongside £160m to kick start investment in port infrastructure. Industry has supported our action with Renewable UK’s CEO welcoming this Government’s strong commitment to the sector.

Renewable Energy: North Tyneside

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support the growth of the offshore energy sector in North Tyneside constituency.

Graham Stuart: The Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme supported Smulders' £70 million investment in Wallsend to expand their fabrication manufacturing capability, supporting 325 jobs. We have announced £960 million for a new Green Industries Growth Accelerator, supporting manufacturing investments in clean energy.

Home Upgrade Grant

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, by what date local authorities are required to start processing applications under the Home Upgrade Grant 2 scheme.

Graham Stuart: Local Authorities applied for funding under Phase 2 of the Home Upgrade Grant within the bid window of September 2022 to January 2023, and were able to begin delivering installs of energy efficiency measures from April 2023. The timeframe for the assessment of homes and installation of energy efficiency measures will depend on the relevant local authority, but all projects should be completed by March 2025.

Energy: Prices

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional financial support for energy costs to people with a terminal illness.

Amanda Solloway: The Government frequently assesses the merits of energy cost support policies and the impacts various policy ideas would have on the most vulnerable households. The Government is continuing to provide targeted support for vulnerable households as prices come down. In 2023-24 the Government is already providing additional cost of living payments of up to £900 to households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioner households, and £150 to those on eligible disability benefits. This is alongside existing and ongoing energy bills support for the most vulnerable that includes the: Warm Home Discount providing a £150 rebate on electricity bills for up to three million households in most need this winter;Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £250 - £600;Cold Weather Payment, a £25 payment for vulnerable households on qualifying benefits, is also available to help with the cost of bills when the weather is or expected to be unusually cold.

Committee on Climate Change

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report to Parliament, which was published on 28 June 2023.

Graham Stuart: The Government published its response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report on 26 October 2023, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/committee-on-climate-change-2023-progress-report-government-response

Energy: Prices

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure that people with Rett Syndrome are able to heat their homes to a safe temperature.

Amanda Solloway: The Government is continuing to provide targeted support for vulnerable households as prices come down. In 2023-24 the Government is already providing additional cost of living payments of up to £900 to households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioner households, and £150 to those on eligible disability benefits. This is alongside existing and ongoing energy bills support for the most vulnerable that includes the: Warm Home Discount providing a £150 rebate on electricity bills for up to three million households in most need this winter;Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £250 - £600;Cold Weather Payment, a £25 payment for vulnerable households on qualifying benefits, is also available to help with the cost of bills when the weather is or expected to be unusually cold.

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Dame Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Electricity Generation Costs 2023, updated in November 2023, what the evidential basis is for the estimate that the cost for offshore windfarm commissioning in 2025 will be £44/MWh.

Graham Stuart: The Department’s Generation Costs Report 2023 is regularly updated based on externally reviewed evidence. These external reports are also published in the Energy Generation Cost Projections collection on GOV.UK. The 44 £/MWh is based on cost and technical assumptions from an externally reviewed evidence base and internal modelling. These are shown in the technical annex to the report.

Wind Power: Costs

Dame Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's publication Electricity Generation Costs 2023, updated in November 2023, what the evidential basis is for the assumption that windfarms commissioned in 2025 will (a) not experience any decline in output over their lifetimes and (b) have an average output of 61% of capacity.

Graham Stuart: The Department’s Generation Costs Report 2023 is regularly updated based on externally reviewed evidence; these external reports are also published containing detailed description of underlying assumptions. The 61% net load factor assumed for offshore wind plants commissioning in 2025 is derived from DESNZ modelling of wind turbine load factors. This calculation combines a theoretical turbine power curve (power output as a function of wind speed, modelled using turbine technology parameters including rotor swept area and hub height) with historic site-specific Virtual Met Mast (VMM) hourly wind speed data sourced from the UK Met Office.

Carbon Emissions

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the report by Oxfam entitled Climate Equality: A planet for the 99%, published on 20 November 2023, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the proportion of carbon emissions generated by the (a) richest 1% and (b) poorest two-thirds of the world's population.

Graham Stuart: The UK has decarbonised more than any other economy. Between 1990 and 2021, the UK reduced its emissions by 48%. The UK works through COP and other forums to advocate for faster decarbonisation. The UK is committed to spend £11.6bn on International Climate Finance (ICF) in those countries most affected by climate change. This includes a tripling of funding for climate adaptation from £500m in 2019 to £1.5bn in 2025. In the published International Development White Paper, the UK announced that it will aim for more than half of all bilateral aid to go to least developed countries.

Treasury

Islamophobia

Imran Hussain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Autumn Statement 2023 on 22 November 2023, Official Report, column 326, what funding he provides to tackle Islamophobia in the UK.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Autumn Statement 2023 on 22 November 2023, Official Report, column 326, what funding he provides to tackle anti-black racism in the UK.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Autumn Statement 2023 on 22 November 2023, Official Report, column 326, what funding he provides to tackle racism against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Autumn Statement 2023 on 22 November 2023, Official Report, column 326, what funding he provides to tackle racism against ethnic minority communities in the UK.

Laura Trott: The Government is committed to the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. That is why in June 2023, building on the work of the Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme, the Security Minister pledged £24.5 million of funding in 2023-24 to protect mosques and Muslim faith schools through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, providing security measures like CCTV and intruder alarms. In light of the crisis in Israel and Gaza, the Home Secretary announced in October that the Government will grant an additional £3 million to the Community Security Trust to support Jewish communities in the UK. At the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that this would be extended to 2024-25. The Home Office has also increased available funding for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme by 20% The Government is also taking strides to combat ethnic discrimination and hate crime. Through the Online Safety Act 2023, we are compelling social media companies to tackle discriminatory content posted on their platforms. The also Government provides £300,000 in annual grant funding to the National Online Hate Crime Hub, which provides expert advice to police investigating hate crimes.

Public Expenditure

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost to the public purse was for (a) the civil service and (b) public administration in the financial years (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2022-23 and (iii) 2023-24 as of 20 November 2023.

Laura Trott: To answer part (a) of the question: The total salary bill for the civil service can be approximately calculated using data from Cabinet Office owned national statistics, Civil Service Statistics. A link to the latest Civil Service Statistics is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2023/statistical-bulletin-civil-service-statistics-2023 Part (b) asks about public administration from budgetary tables published in HM Treasury’s Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) it is possible to obtain administrative spending by government departmental group. Please refer to Table 1.7 within the link to PESA 2023 below:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/public-expenditure-statistical-analyses-2023 In-year expenditure data for 2023-24, from which it is possible to obtain administration budgets, are available from HM Treasury’s OSCAR Transparency release. A link is provided below:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oscar-ii-publishing-data-from-the-database-september-2023

Public Sector: Productivity

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to raise public sector productivity.

Laura Trott: Efficiency and productivity are important priorities for this government. In June, the Chancellor announced the Public Sector Productivity Programme, as a means of assessing how productivity can be improved. An update on the programme was provided in the Autumn Statement, which includes the finding that frontline workers can spend up to 8 hours a week on administrative tasks. The programme is exploring ways to reduce this number so they can continue doing what they do best, keeping us safe and treating us when we are sick. I will continue leading on boosting productivity in the public sector, with work continuing through to the next Spending Review.

Local Housing Allowance: Uprating

Tahir Ali: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of ending the freeze on local housing allowance.

Laura Trott: At the Autumn Statement, the government announced that Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will be increased from April 2024 to cover the lower 30% of local rents. This will make 1.6 million low-income households in Great Britain better off, with an average gain of £800 in 2024/25. This measure will support household incomes and help tackle child poverty, reaffirming government’s commitment to those in the most challenging financial position.

Africa: Taxation

Dan Carden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the UK Permanent Representative at the United Nations voted against the resolution proposed by the Africa Group entitled Promotion of inclusive and effective international cooperation on tax matters at the United Nations; and whether the Government plans to support the development of a new UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation following the adoption of that resolution.

Nigel Huddleston: The UK strongly supports developing countries’ efforts to scale-up domestic resource mobilisation to finance sustainable development. The International Development White Paper published on Monday 20th November commits to building a stronger and fairer international tax system for all. However, the UK, alongside many other countries, is concerned that proceeding with a UN convention on international tax at this time would not be the most effective way to achieve these goals. An Explanation of vote was published on GOV.UK on 22 November: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-uk-is-committed-to-building-a-fairer-international-tax-system-for-all-uk-statement-at-the-un-second-committee.

Mileage Allowances: Fuels

Keir Mather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of rates of Approved Mileage Allowance Payments, in the context of increases in the cost of fuel.

Gareth Davies: Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee’s expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified motoring expenses). The AMAP rates are not mandatory, and employers can choose to pay more or less than the AMAP rate. It is therefore ultimately up to employers to determine the rate at which they reimburse their employees. Like all taxes and allowances, the Government keeps the AMAP rate under review, and in considering changes to the AMAP/simplified motoring expenses rates, the Government has to balance support for individuals with the responsible management of public finances, which fund our essential public services. Any changes will be announced at a future fiscal event. However, the Government recognises that transport is a major cost for individuals and families. At Spring Statement 2022 the Government announced a temporary 12-month cut to duty on petrol and diesel of 5p per litre. In order to continue supporting all motorists, the Government extended the 5p fuel duty cut, which is worth £100 to the average driver over the year.

Gambling

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential revenue lost from illegal gambling.

Nigel Huddleston: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps - Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition: tax gap estimates for 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)HMRC does not separately estimate a betting and gaming duty tax gap; it forms part of the ‘other excise duties’ tax gap, namely betting and gaming, cider and perry, spirits-based ready-to-drink beverages and wine duties gaps.

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of changes to alcohol duty implemented in August 2023 on tax receipts.

Gareth Davies: The Government publishes tax information and impact notes for tax policy changes when the policy is final or near final. The summary of impacts from the changes to alcohol duty at Spring Budget 2023 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/increase-in-alcohol-duty-rates/alcohol-duty-uprating The Government will evaluate the impact of the new rates and structures three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. This will allow time to understand the impacts in the alcohol market and for HMRC to gather useful and accurate data with which to evaluate.

Climate Change: Finance

Beth Winter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the report by Oxfam entitled, Climate equality: A planet for the 99%, published 20 November 2023.

Gareth Davies: The Government is committed to a pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach to meeting all our net zero commitments that eases the burdens on families.In keeping with Green Book guidance, HMT considers the distributional impacts of policy where there may be significant redistributive effects. The Net Zero Review, published in 2021, included analysis to help understand households’ exposure to the net zero transition.The UK is also delivering on our commitment to spend £11.6bn International Climate Finance between 2021/22 and 2025/26, ensuring a balance between adaptation and mitigation and including at least £3bn on protecting and restoring nature. The OECD has indicated that it is likely that donors met the $100bn climate finance goal for the first time in 2022, based on preliminary data. We regret that the $100bn goal is being met later than expected. However, it is important to recognise that significant progress has been made.

Film: Business Rates

Sir Chris Bryant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Cabinet Colleagues on the Valuation Office Agency's planned increase in business rate evaluations for film studios.

Nigel Huddleston: The government recognises the importance of the film and TV sector to the UK and is committed to maintaining a competitive offer for studios. The Valuation Office Agency is working closely with the film studio sector and its representatives to review valuation evidence through a Group Pre-Challenge Review (GPCR).

Financial Services: British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the British Overseas Territories on increasing transparency in their financial services sectors.

Bim Afolami: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet with representatives of the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories, and of overseas jurisdictions, to discuss issues of mutual importance. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel.

Debts: Developing Countries

Dan Carden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ensure that no creditor can sue for more than they would have got if they had taken part in (a) the Common Framework for debt restructuring and (b) any other internationally agreed debt restructuring the Government is party to.

Dan Carden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to require private creditors to participate in initiatives to ease the debt burden on low-income countries.

Bim Afolami: The UK, alongside the G20 and Paris Club, expects creditors, including private creditors, to participate in debt restructurings on comparable terms. This is a fundamental principle of the G20 Common Framework. At this stage, the Government is not pursuing a legislative approach that would force private or other lenders to participate in debt restructurings. The Government is focused on delivering a market-based (contractual) approach to private sector participation, including taking the lead in developing Majority Voting Provisions for private syndicated loans. These promote more efficient restructurings and reduce the ability for creditors to hold out.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Regional Planning and Development: Weaver Vale

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what scores were awarded to bids from (a) Halton Lea and (b) Winnington Bridge in levelling up fund round three.

Jacob Young: Full details of the decision-making process for the Levelling Up Fund round 3 can be found in an explanatory note on gov.uk.

Planning: Water Companies

Chloe Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to make water companies statutory consultees in medium and large scale planning applications.

Lee Rowley: The Government has made a commitment, as part of its reform package under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (now the Act) to consult on whether or not we should make water companies statutory consultees on certain planning applications, and if so, how best to do this. It will be important that water companies engage local planning authorities on their applications at the right time so they can input effectively and not slow down the application process.

Letting Agents: Regulation

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Answer of 26 October 2023 to Question 203866 on Letting Agents: Regulation, what his planned timescale is to respond to the recommendations from Lord Best's working group.

Lee Rowley: The Government continues to work with industry on improving best practice across the property agent sector.The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill announced in the King’s Speech will make it easier for leaseholders to scrutinise costs and challenge the services provided by both freeholders and property managing agents. The Bill will also make it easier for leaseholders to take on management of their buildings themselves so that they can directly appoint or replace agents.

Homelessness: North West

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to support local authorities with housing vulnerable homeless families in (a) St Helens and (b) the North West.

Felicity Buchan: We are providing over £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant over three years, including a £109 million top-up this year. This funding can be used to offer financial support for people to find a new home or to work with landlords to prevent evictions, or to provide temporary accommodation where needed. St Helens Borough Council received £474,880 for 2023/24 and has been allocated £375,204 for 2024/25. The North West received £28,066,133 for 2023/24 and has been allocated £21,479,278 for 2024/25. The full list of allocations for local authorities in England is available here.In addition, in his Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced Government is increasing the Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of market rents from April. This will mean 1.6 million low-income households will be around £800 a year better off on average in 2024-25 and will make it more affordable for families on benefits to rent properties in the private rented sector. Autumn Statement also announced additional UK-wide funding of £120 million to help councils address Ukraine and homelessness pressures in 2024/25. We will announce local authority level allocations of this new funding in due course.

Churches: Repairs and Maintenance

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether local authority grant funding is ring-fenced for the purposes of parish churches upgrading their facilities.

Simon Hoare: The majority of the funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is un-ringfenced in recognition of local authorities being best placed to understand local priorities. There are no grants within the Settlement that are ringfenced for the purposes of parish churches upgrading their facilities.

Refugees: Ukraine

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's polices of the British Red Cross' report entitled Fearing, fleeing, facing the future: how people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine are finding safety in the UK, published on 24 February 2023.

Felicity Buchan: Homes for Ukraine hosts will continue to receive £500 a month as a ‘thank you’ for their ongoing support for their Ukrainian guests for a third year of sponsorship. We are also launching a £450 million third round of the Local Authority Housing Fund to help provide a new, permanent supply of accommodation for local communities.The ‘thank you’ payments have been extended for a further year to reflect the continued generosity of sponsors in hosting guests from Ukraine over a longer period of time than anyone expected, and to ensure that those wishing to provide ongoing sanctuary can do so as the conflict continues.More generally, government is increasing the Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of local rents. This will help make housing costs more affordable for private renters in receipt of benefits. 1.6 million low-income households will be better off, with an average gain of £800 in 2024-25. Rates will be raised across Great Britain in April 2024.£120 million is also being made available across the UK, to help councils with Ukraine and homelessness pressures. Local authorities will be able to use some of this funding to support Ukrainian households who can no longer remain in sponsorship to help access settled accommodation.

Housing

Dr Caroline Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent estimate he has made of the number of domestic residences in (a) England and (b) the UK.

Lee Rowley: Estimates of dwelling stock in England, as of 31 March 2022, are published in the Department’s live table 104, which is available at the following link.Estimates of dwelling stock in the UK, are collated and published by the Office for National Statistics and are available at the following link.

Grenfell Assisted Home Ownership Scheme

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what the deadline for applications to The Grenfell Assisted Home Ownership Scheme is.

Jacob Young: The Department is working to finalise the Grenfell Assisted Home Ownership Scheme and we hope to open it for applications in the coming months. We will write to all eligible residents once we have a firm date for launch. This will include details on how they can apply.

Empty Property

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to (a) collect and (b) publish data on the number of commercial properties in England that have been vacant for two years or more; and if he will bring forward legislation to require local authorities to report on the number of non-residential buildings they own that have been vacant for two years or more.

Jacob Young: It is for local authorities to decide how to monitor local vacancy rates.

Ministry of Justice

Probation Service: Staff

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2023 to Question 340 on Probation Service: Staff, how many and what proportion of probation officers have workloads that are above 100% on the Workload Management Tool in each region.

Edward Argar: The Probation Service currently uses the Workload Measurement Tool (WMT) as an indicator and as one of several sources of information to support management of workloads. There are, however, significant limitations with using the WMT to monitor workload due to its daily fluctuation, capacity for human error and the challenges in accounting for periods of leave and case support. The WMT is therefore only one element of probation capacity and should be considered alongside the situational context and other reporting routes.This table shows by region the proportion of POs who are over 100% (as of the 22 November 2023) on the WMT. To note, the WMT is not considered a reliable estimate of total staff.RegionTotal Probation OfficersNumber of Probation Officers over 100%National 3,3382,591East Midlands217165East of England279236Greater Manchester211180Kent Surrey Sussex176133London454375North East Region223163North West Region335253South Central176141South West234192Wales272177West Midlands Region367267Yorkshire and The Humber394309Recruitment and retention remain a priority across the Probation Service and we have injected extra funding of more than £155 million a year to deliver more robust supervision, recruit thousands more staff and reduce caseloads to keep the public safer. The Probation Service is in its second year of a multi-year pay deal for its staff. Salary values of all pay bands will increase each year, targeted at key operational grades to improve a challenging recruitment and retention position. Positively, the Probation Service leaving rate was 9.9% in the 12 months to 30 September 2023, a decrease from the previous 12 months.The Probation Service saw an increase of 2,170 FTE or 11.8% (Probation Service grades) since September 2022. There has been an increase across all Probation Service grades such Senior Probation Officer (13.0%), Probation Officers (6.9%), Other Band 4-6 (16.0%) and in particular Other Bands 1 to 3 staff saw an increase of 1,260 FTE staff (26.4%), following centrally run recruitment for key grades supporting frontline staff. We have accelerated recruitment of trainee Probation Officers (PQiPs) to increase staffing levels, particularly in Probation Delivery Units (PDUs) with the most significant staffing challenges.There were 2,185 staff, equivalent to 2,164 FTE, as at 30 September 2023 undertaking the PQiP training, which we anticipate will start to directly impact on the reduction of caseloads as they qualify.

Probation Service

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2023 to Question 339 on Probation Service, what the staffing underspend was in the Probation Service in each of the last 24 months.

Edward Argar: In the period between November 2021 and October 2023, the total monthly expenditure for Probation Service staffing has increased from £60.3m to £72.4m. The increase in expenditure reflects the continued investment in staffing during the past 24 months and impact of the multiyear pay deal. In July 2023, expenditure exceeded budget due to the cost-of-living payment.The table below sets out the financial variances for staff related costs in the Probation Service between November 2021 and October 2023.MonthBudget (£m)Actual Expenditure (£m)Variance (£m)Nov-2162.360.32.0Dec-2162.361.30.9Jan-2263.659.44.2Feb-2263.658.45.2Mar-2263.172.9-9.7Apr-2263.564.0-0.5May-2263.564.1-0.6Jun-2263.565.0-1.5Jul-2264.466.8-2.4Aug-2266.364.22.0Sep-2266.561.35.2Oct-2271.260.310.9Nov-2271.268.62.6Dec-2271.267.83.4Jan-2371.369.02.4Feb-2371.067.04.0Mar-2371.071.4-0.4Apr-2371.773.1-1.5May-2371.770.31.3Jun-2371.770.71.0Jul-2369.1105.0-35.9Aug-2371.171.8-0.8Sep-2371.171.8-0.7Oct-2374.872.42.4Total1,630.71,637.2-6.6

Young Offender Institutions: Staff

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many assaults by staff on inmates were recorded in each Young Offender Institution in each of the last 10 years.

Edward Argar: Collating the information that is held would require a search of individual records. This could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

Probation Service: Staff

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of probation officers have been in post for over (a) two and (b) five years in each region.

Edward Argar: The quarterly HMPPS workforce statistics publication covers staffing information, including number of staff in post by length of service and grade. The latest publication covers data for up to the period 30 September 2023.Table 1: Band 4 Probation Officers in post by region and length of service1, as at 30 September 2023 (Full-time equivalent) Completed years of servicePercentage of totalRegion2+ years5+ yearsTotal2+ years5+ yearsApproved Premises – Midlands333100%100%Approved Premises - North East111100%100%Approved Premises - North West444100%100%Approved Premises - South East and Eastern111100%100%Approved Premises - South West & Central111100%100%East Midlands Probation Service28321832388%67%East of England Probation Service41726044195%59%Greater Manchester Probation Service23418128084%65%Kent, Surrey and Sussex Probation Service24416326592%62%London Probation Service51332056291%57%North East Probation Service28818431492%59%North West Probation Service39933345189%74%South Central Probation Service22514324891%58%South West Probation Service33722834897%66%Wales Probation Service34326837691%71%West Midlands Probation Service48034350795%68%Yorkshire & the Humber Probation Service48432952592%63%Probation Officers not in Probation Service24202498%81%Total4,2813,0004,67592%64%1: The length of service in HMPPS is calculated from most recent hire date. Where staff have transferred in from another Government Department or have transferred in through HMPPS taking over a function, length of service is calculated from entry to HMPPS. Note:Someone with more than five years’ experience is counted in both columns.This table only includes those who are a band 4 Probation Officer on the 30 September 2023 (so will not include anyone who has been promoted, including to a Senior Probation Officer role).

Prisons: Buildings

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has plans publish information on RAAC in prisons.

Edward Argar: We take the safety of our staff, visitors, and those in our custody extremely seriously. We are carrying out an urgent and comprehensive programme of works conducting surveys across our extensive estate, including our youth secure estate. The programme, which is well underway, will continue over the coming months.

Young Offender Institutions: Ethnic Groups

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to improve the representation of ethnic minority personnel in senior leadership roles in the youth secure estate.

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) ensure that ethnic minority staff are recruited to work in the youth secure estate in similar proportions to the country as a whole and (b) increase retention of ethnic minority staff in the youth secure estate.

Edward Argar: Following the Lammy Review, His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) made a public commitment that 14% of all new recruits will come from ethnic minority backgrounds. As of 30 June 2023, 19.2% of all Youth Custody Service staff who declared their ethnicity were from an ethnic minority background, up from 11.9% in 2010.We are continuing to work towards increasing the recruitment of ethnic minority staff, so that their representation, including in senior leadership roles, matches that in the working population. Recruitment marketing is tailored to increase diversity in applications, targeting prisons where there is disparity between the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic workforce population and the regional working population. This enhanced recruitment approach means we are exceeding the past-Lammy Review target in the youth secure estate.

Young Offender Institutions: Ethnic Groups

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the attrition rate was for ethnic minority staff in the youth secure estate in each reporting year since 2010.

Edward Argar: The leaving rates of staff who declared their ethnicity and who work in prisons currently part of the Youth Custody Service are given in the table below.In late 2021, HM Prison Service launched a retention tool kit to help Governors to tackle the main drivers of attrition in their prisons. We are using the data from this and enhanced exit interviews to better understand why employees are leaving.HM Prison Service made a significant investment in pay for prison staff through the 2023/24 pay awards. This delivered an increase in base pay of at least 4% for all staff between bands 2 to 11, alongside further targeted pay rises for our lowest paid staff of up to £2,500 which we hope will help in reducing leaving rates.Since April 2022, HM Prison Service have invested in several new initiatives to improve the experience of our new joiners and increase retention of our employees. These include a new peer-to-peer learning scheme, the introduction of mentors for new staff, a supervision pilot in two prisons, and new leadership training in prisons facing retention challenges. Table 1: Underlying leaving rate of permanent staff in Youth Custody Estate, by declared ethnicity, for 12 months to 31 March each year since 2010, and latest position as at 30 September 2023 12 Months toEthnic minority leaversEthnic minority average staff in postEthnic minority leaving  rate31/03/201051623.1%31/03/201191655.4%31/03/201261603.8%31/03/201361593.8%31/03/201481485.4%31/03/20151613611.7%31/03/201651313.8%31/03/20171413810.1%31/03/2018111368.1%31/03/201961573.8%31/03/20202720713.1%31/03/2021182078.7%31/03/20222221610.2%31/03/20234923221.1%30/09/2023(p)5524922.1% NotesLeaving rates is calculated as number of leavers by ethnicity as a proportion of an average of all staff of that ethnicity, not all staff.Ethnicity is a self-declared field and is optional to complete.The leavers figures do not include voluntary early departure or redundancy.Permanent staff are those with a permanent contract of employment with HMPPS.The Youth Custody Service (YCS), created in April 2017 to oversee day-to-day management of young people up to 18 years of age in the young people’s estate. Youth Custody Estate includes the following prisons: Cookham Wood, Feltham, Werrington, Wetherby and Medway Secure Training Centre (which closed in March 2020).Internal transfers within HMPPS are not included.(p) Figures relating to current financial year are provisional and may be subject to change in future.

Aarhus Convention

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the limit on costs recoverable from an individual party in an Aarhus Convention claim.

Mike Freer: The Government introduced a revised Environmental Costs Protection Regime (ECPR) in 2018, which allows certain environmental claims to be brought without prohibitive expense.The Government is committed to conducting a review of the ECPR and will publish a call for evidence in due course.

Law Reporting: Fees and Charges

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making (a) full transcripts and (b) audio recordings of hearings in the Crown Court free for victims of crime.

Mike Freer: The government is constantly assessing how to improve the experience and support that victims receive within the criminal justice system, including mechanisms to facilitate the access to court transcripts and audio recordings of court hearings.We understand that the ability to access transcripts from court proceedings is an essential part of maintaining transparency and accountability within the justice system. However, there is a cost attached to transcribing lengthy audio of a hearing, which in some cases can run into thousands of pounds. Providing the full transcripts of a hearing free of charge to all crime victims, risks diverting resources away from other key services. To help with transcription costs, we have made sure that bereaved family members of victims of homicide and death by dangerous driving can get a copy of the judicial Sentencing Remarks (a specific part of the hearing) paid for by the public purse. The Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service continue to seek ways to reduce the fees that victims are required to pay to obtain transcripts in criminal proceedings. In particular, we will explore how technology could be used to reduce the costs of transcription, with a view of passing on the savings to parties.With regard to audio recordings, anyone, including victims, can apply to the court for permission to listen to the recording of the hearing at a suitable court location, free of charge and at judicial discretion.

Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer on 21 November 2023 to Question 2298 on Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance, when his Department plans to finish the survey work on the condition of the fabric and critical infrastructure in prisons including the backlog of maintenance works.

Edward Argar: Fieldwork for the programme of condition surveys was completed earlier this month. The final quality-assured set of surveyors’ reports are due to be delivered by the end of December. Further analysis of the full data set will then be required to estimate maintenance backlogs and forward costs.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Culture: Local Government

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps is she taking to increase the uptake of cultural compact initiatives by local authorities.

Sir John Whittingdale: HM Government acknowledges and welcomes the positive role the Cultural Compacts initiative has played in forming local partnerships and increasing cultural activity and broader collaboration in places across the country.Arts Council England has supported 30 Cultural Compacts across England – including in levelling up priority areas – and has committed to providing these existing Compacts with further funding to build capacity and long-term cross-sector relationships. Arts Council England has set itself a target of increasing the number of Cultural Compacts across England by 50% by the end of March 2024 and is in dialogue with partners in a number of places interested in setting them up.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: ICT

Matt Rodda: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what is the annual cost to the public purse of her Department's expenditure on (a) IT infrastructure, (b) IT infrastructure purchased prior to 2013 and (c) legacy IT infrastructure for each year since 2010.

Sir John Whittingdale: The annual cost (Financial Year) to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) on IT Infrastructure are:IT Infrastructure (FY 2022-23) - £1,838,272IT Infrastructure - pre 2013 - £nil*Legacy IT Infrastructure - £nil**The DCMS Technology service is 100% cloud based, adopting a consumption based delivery model, consuming predominantly Software as a Service (SaaS) & Platform as a service (PaaS), services.The DCMS Technology Service was established in 2021, there is no legacy infrastructure, all services have been transformed as part of the initial transformation programme undertaken in 2021.As of 21 November 2023, DCMS has zero (0) red-rated IT systems.* DCMS Technology Service was established in 2021, prior to the service existing, IT services were provided through a Shared IT service model, delivered through the Cabinet Office.** The DCMS Technology Service is relatively new, there is no legacy infrastructure due to the service model being 100% cloud based, adopting a Software as a Service (SaaS) based consume delivery model.

Department for Transport

Department for Transport: Written Questions

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times his Department answered Named Day written parliamentary questions stating that it would not be possible to answer a question within the usual time period in the last 12 months.

Anthony Browne: In the last 12 months, the Department answered all 1,118 Named Day written parliamentary questions it received within the usual time period.

Smart Devices: China

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 25 July 2023 to Question 194820 on Smart Devices: China, which agency is responsible for monitoring the potential security threat posed by Chinese-made cellular internet of things modules in critical infrastructure.

Anthony Browne: Lead Government Departments, informed by threat assessments from a range of organisations, are responsible for leading work to determine national security risks to critical national infrastructure in their sectors. This is done in collaboration with partners including the National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority as UK national technical authorities for cyber and physical security.

Airports: Construction

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Climate Change Committee's recommendation that no airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place as set out in their Progress Report to Parliament, published 28 June 2023.

Anthony Browne: The Government responded to the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation on airport expansion in Responding to the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Annual Progress Report to Parliament on 26 October 2023. This information is available in the Libraries of the House.

Smart Devices: China

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 25 July 2023 to Question 194820 on Smart Devices: China, which areas of the transport sector employ cellular internet of things module technology as of 22 November 2023.

Anthony Browne: A cellular internet of things (IoT) device can be considered to be a low-power device with long battery life, which sends small amounts of data on an infrequent basis. The UK’s transport sector currently employs only a limited amount of devices that match this specification. As mobile network operators upgrade their networks, new low-power wide-area networks are emerging that have been developed to enable a wide range of IoT devices and services as part of the continued development and roll out of 5G connectivity.Lead Government Departments, informed by threat assessments from a range of organisations, are responsible for leading work to determine national security risks to critical national infrastructure in their sectors. This is done in collaboration with partners including the National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority as UK national technical authorities for cyber and physical security.

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an estimate of the level of lead emissions arising from the use of (a) leaded and (b) other fuel in the aviation sector in the UK in the last 12 months.

Anthony Browne: Figures published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show Avgas, which is the only leaded fuel for aircraft, represents less than 1% of total aviation fuel supply in the UK in 2022. Avgas is mostly an issue for small piston aircrafts and it does not impact commercial aircraft using Avtur (aviation turbine fuel).DfT will continue to monitor progress in the transition away from leaded fuels working with the Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs and the Health and Safety Executive who lead on the regulation of chemicals.

Gatwick Airport

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of Gatwick Airport on the proposed use of its emergency runway for routine flights.

Anthony Browne: No recent discussions have been held with Gatwick Airport representatives on proposals for the regular use of its emergency runway. Due to the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in the planning system I am unable to comment further.

Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Motorcycle Industry Association's report entitled, Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles, published February 2022.

Anthony Browne: The Government continues to engage with industry to deliver the Action Plan where appropriate. To address actions 2 and 3 on growing and developing the supply chain, the Government made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero-emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. The Department is also working with the recently established “Powered Light Vehicle Community” to address action 9 on creating a formal L-category community. In addition, the Department is engaged with the MCIA’s recent licensing review proposals to address action 6 to review minimum testing and licence entitlements for all battery electric L-Category vehicles.

Roads: Wokingham

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department plans to provide to Wokingham Borough Council for (a) fixing potholes and (b) other road maintenance in the (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25 financial year.

Guy Opperman: The Department will provide Wokingham Borough Council with a total of £8.053 million for highways maintenance activities over the two years in question. The funding can be spent on activities including (a) fixing potholes and (b) other road maintenance in the (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25 financial years. A Written Ministerial Statement has been laid in both Houses, and the Secretary of State has written out to Parliamentary colleagues advising them of the uplift to highways maintenance funding. In addition, officials from my Department will be writing out to all Chief Executives confirming their grant funding allocations shortly.

Bus Services: Finance

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department has provided for bus services in real terms in each of the last five years.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Transport has provided a total of £3.47 billion (£2.8 billion in real terms (2010/11 prices)) for bus services between 2018/19 to 2022/23. This includes the Bus Service Operators Grant, Covid-19 Bus Service Support Grant, Bus Recovery Grant, Commonwealth Games funding, £2 Bus Fare Cap, and Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. The breakdown of this by year is as follows: 2018/19 - £244 million (£215 million in 2010/11 prices)2019/20 - £249 million (£214 million in 2010/11 prices)2020/21 - £1.2 billion (£974 million in 2010/11 prices)2021/22 - £899 million (£729 million in 2010/11 prices)2022/23 - £873 million (£671 million in 2010/11 prices)In addition, on 4 October, as part of Network North, we announced a further £1 billion from redirected HS2 funding to level up bus services in the North and Midlands via BSIP, making them more frequent, more reliable, cheaper, and easier to use. We are also extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, meaning we are investing nearly £600 million in total to cap bus fares across England since the scheme was launched. On top of this, we have announced that a new uplift of 60% will be added to Community Transport Operators’ (CTOs) Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) claims until 31 March 2025.

Roads: Greater London

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of centralising in his Department control of roads in London.

Guy Opperman: We have no plans to increase the size and role of central government by taking control of local roads in London.

Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to extend the maximum axle weights and gross vehicle weights derogation given to two and three axle electric HGVs to four and six axle electric HGVs.

Guy Opperman: The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 increased maximum gross vehicle weight limits for some zero emission four or six axle HGV combinations. Increases for other rigid four or six axle HGVs, or amendments to axle weight limits will result in increased road wear and may also damage infrastructure, and are not currently being pursued. However, bids have been invited by the Department for further research.

Listed Buildings: Appleby Magna

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the Land Registry does (a) not include a record of the sale in 2011 and (b) include a record of the sale in 2015 of the Old Rectory in Appleby Magna.

Huw Merriman: The Land Registry only records the most recent transaction unless there are previous transactions which created binding benefits and burdens. Individuals can apply to Land Registry for historic copies of the register showing previous ownership and transaction information.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Vacancies

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to address skills shortages (a) among HGV drivers and (b) in the road transport sector.

Guy Opperman: The Government has a multi-pronged approach to tackling this problem. It has invested in skills bootcamps to train up to 11,000 more people to become HGV drivers to help tackle the HGV driver shortage. These are free, short, intensive courses to train drivers to be road ready and gain a Category C or Category C&E licence.The Government is also supporting lorry driver training through apprenticeships. The Large Goods Vehicle Driver apprenticeship, which trains drivers to gain their Cat C&E licence, has recently had its funding level increased to £8,000. The Urban Driver apprenticeship which trains drivers to Cat C standard is also available with up to £5,000 of funding.The Department for Transport has also supported the non-profit initiative Road to Logistics to train military service leavers, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed to move into jobs in the logistics sector, including lorry driving.These measures are working with industry reporting that the acute driver shortage has eased. We continue to work with the sector to monitor the availability of drivers and tackle the issues affecting both the recruitment and retention of HGV drivers.Following the actions raised during the driver shortages (buses and coaches) summit held in November 2022, the Department plans to consult on removing the regulatory 50km restriction on 18- to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers driving a regular service, and allowing prospective drivers to undertake the theory and off-road manoeuvre tests prior to being granted a provisional bus license. Since the summit, figures from the Confederation of Passenger Transport show that the vacancy rate for bus drivers in Great Britain fell from a high of 9.3% in September 2022 to 6.5% in May 2023.

Speed Limits: Greater London

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral answer of 14 September 2023 by the Leader of the House, Official Report column 1023, whether he has made an assessment of the cost to the economy in London of a majority of roads having a speed limit of 20mph.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impact of the cost to the economy of 20mph speed limits in London.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Public Sector

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2023 to Question 1948 on Artificial Intelligence: Public Sector, and with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Introducing the AI Safety Institute, published on 2 November 2023, whether it remains her Department's policy to identify new uses for AI in the public sector.

Saqib Bhatti: As the Department with responsibility for AI policy and strengthening the UK’s capabilities in AI, DSIT will continue to look to identify new uses for AI in the public sector. The work the department started on AI for Good during the summit will support this. We will work with the recently established Incubator for Artificial Intelligence and with departments and public sector organisations leading on identifying use cases in their remit to drive responsible innovation in AI across the public sector.

AI Safety Summit

Andrew Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish the (a) invitation and (b) attendance list for the AI Safety Summit 2023 on 1 and 2 November at Bletchley Park.

Saqib Bhatti: The AI Safety Summit was attended by representatives from governments, multilateral organisations, and companies at the frontier of AI as well as leading academic experts and wider industry and civil society with an important stake in the safe development of frontier AI. In the run-up to the Summit, the government engaged widely to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives were reflected. A list of those organisations which attended the Summit has been published and can be found here.

Northern Ireland Office

Strule Shared Education Campus

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether funding from the £500 million Fresh Start agreement package has been allocated to the Strule Shared Education Campus.

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has plans to provide funding for the Strule Shared Education Campus through the Fresh Start Agreement funding package.

Mr Steve Baker: The Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 set out a commitment by the UK Government to release up to £500m over ten years of new capital funding to support shared and integrated education and housing. This funding is subject to individual projects, including Strule, being agreed between the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government. The Government continues to work with Northern Ireland Departments on funding arrangements and projects under the Agreement and funding allocations continue to be subject to HM Treasury approval. As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on the Northern Ireland Budget 2023-24 in April, the acute state of Northern Ireland’s public finances means that it may be necessary to reallocate funding from previously announced funding packages. This process is ongoing.

Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the operational budget will be for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery in 2024-25; and from where this cost will be funded.

Mr Steve Baker: £250 million has been allocated to the implementation of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act and the non-legislative memorialisation measures announced alongside it. This includes costs for the establishment of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, and for the Commission’s work. These funds were set aside for legacy mechanisms under the Stormont House Agreement and the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

Education: Northern Ireland

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much of the Fresh Start Agreement funding package for shared and integrated education (a) has been allocated as of 21 November 2023 and (b) is remaining.

Mr Steve Baker: The Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 set out a commitment by the UK Government to release up to £500m over ten years of new capital funding to support shared and integrated education and housing. This funding is subject to individual projects being agreed between the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government. HM Treasury’s Block Grant Transparency confirms that over £196 million in Fresh Start Agreement (shared education and housing) funding has been transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive up to Mains 2023-24, with around £304 million remaining. The Block Grant Transparency is published online at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-july-2023.

Flood Control: Northern Ireland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps he has taken to support (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) local businesses in (i) recovering from recent flooding in Downpatrick and (ii) instituting preventative flood defences across Northern Ireland.

Mr Steve Baker: Whilst this is a devolved matter, the UK Government is working closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to make up to £15 million of existing funding available to support with clean-up costs, and other support to help businesses get back to trading. We will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service and local councils to get support to those who need it as quickly as possible. However, the best way to ensure that affected areas are prepared for the future is a matter for a restored Executive.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on Ulster Volunteer Force discussions on disbanding; and what recent steps he has taken to encourage the disbanding of terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland.

Chris Heaton-Harris: We are aware of recent media coverage of this issue. Monitoring of the continuing threat posed by proscribed organisations in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and security partners who continue to work to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe. The UK Government remains committed to the Fresh Start Agreement goal of a society free of paramilitarism, including through the disbandment of all paramilitary organisations and their structures. Paramilitarism was never justified in the past and it isn’t justified today. Paramilitary groups and the individuals involved in them cause harm to their communities in ways that are obvious - such as violent attacks - and in ways that are less obvious - using intimidation and fear to exert influence and control. They hold their own communities back, deter investment and jobs and prevent people from moving forward with their lives. The UK Government supports the NI Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism Programme, which is working to tackle the presence of paramilitaries through evidence-based early interventions, targeted law enforcement measures and initiatives that provide direct support to help build safer communities resilient to paramilitarism. The UK Government has committed to provide 50% of the funding for the Programme - approximately £8m per year - through to March 2025.